Tag: Electrification

As we navigate the complexities of the modern built environment, crucial organizations lead the charge in shaping the future of green building. In this blog, we delve into the significant contributions of key industry players such as the International Code Council (ICC), the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). Let’s explore their roles, recent achievements, and commitment to advancing green building practices.

International Code Council (ICC)

The ICC plays a pivotal role in setting international building codes, providing a foundation for sustainable construction practices worldwide. With a focus on collaboration, the ICC engages a diverse audience, including builders, architects, and policymakers. Recent achievements include noteworthy advancements in international code standards, ensuring that the built environment aligns with global sustainability targets. By fostering collaborations that promote sustainable construction, the ICC stands as a cornerstone in the evolution of green building practices.

United States Green Building Council (USGBC)

At the forefront of the green building movement, the USGBC continues to set benchmarks and redefine industry standards. Surpassing 10,000 LEED project registrations globally and achieving an all-time high in total commercial project certifications, USGBC’s recent successes highlight its commitment to excellence by providing tools and resources to make green building practices commonplace. Beyond accolades, the release of the 2024–2026 Strategic Plan positions USGBC to evolve beyond past achievements, addressing urgent challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing landscape of green building.

USGBC’s commitment extends beyond project certifications, delving into advocacy and policy initiatives. With a focus on reducing embodied carbon, USGBC collaborates with federal agencies, legislators, and stakeholders to drive legislative changes. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) marks a significant step forward, directing federal procurements for low-carbon building materials and supporting initiatives to label and account for life cycle impacts.

Embodied carbon, often overlooked, contributes significantly to global emissions. USGBC addresses this by launching a pilot credit for LEED, encouraging developers to prioritize lower-carbon building materials. The EPA reports that homes and buildings account for over 30% of U.S. emissions, reducing embodied carbon a critical step in mitigating climate change. The IRA provisions allocate funding to label materials with low embodied carbon, standardize environmental product declarations (EPDs), and procure materials with low embodied carbon.

American Institute of Architects (AIA)

Architects shape the physical landscape, and the AIA stands as a driving force behind sustainable and eco-friendly architectural designs. Serving as an influential advocate for architects, AIA’s recent achievements showcase a commitment to pushing the boundaries of green building. Through collaborations with industry leaders, AIA contributes to the promotion and implementation of sustainable practices, emphasizing the critical role architects play in reshaping the world we live in.

In conclusion, the collaborative efforts of industry leaders like ICC, AIA, and USGBC underscore the transformative power of green building. As we celebrate their recent achievements and strategic plans for the future, it’s evident that these organizations play a crucial role in redefining the trajectory of sustainable construction. With a focus on advocacy, policy changes, and reducing embodied carbon, they pave the way for a more resilient, healthier, and equitable built environment. The collective commitment to innovation and progress ensures that the green building movement continues to flourish, setting the stage for a sustainable and thriving future.

It’s no secret California has been dealing with serious energy and air quality issues for a long time. California actually started regulating emissions before the EPA! One major way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is through electrification. Let’s talk about what exactly electrification is and how local energy and EV reach codes get us closer to a clean energy future.

electrification

What is Electrification?

Electrification is the process of converting fossil fuel-operated appliances like oil furnaces, gas water heaters, and wood stoves to electricity. In California, Title 24 of the Code of Regulations sets the building code standards for all authorities.

DYK heating and cooling of buildings accounts for about 13 percent of US emissions?

These standards regulate building energy efficiency, including:

  • Lighting
  • Cooling and heating systems
  • Building insulation

The current California standards apply to projects with permit applications submitted on or after January 1, 2020. At the time of the writing of this article, we are about halfway through the current code cycle with the upcoming standards set to be effective on January 1, 2023.

What are Reach Codes?

The Building Energy Efficiency Standards regulate building energy efficiency throughout the state of California, however, local jurisdictions can adopt more strict requirements known as “energy reach codes”. Through the development and implementation of these codes, local governments can impose stricter energy efficiency requirements.

In addition to meeting the baseline statewide standards, a reach code must meet the following requirements:

  • Reach codes must be cost-effective. The funds saved from reduced energy costs should be able to cover initial cost increases.
  • The California Energy Commission must approve all reach codes.
  • The codes must be re-approved and reviewed every three years. The next code cycle change will go into into effect on January 1, 2023.

How do reach codes further electrification?

Electrification begins with local goals – what is the community trying to achieve and by when? At ID360 we work with local government teams to understand their sustainability goals and help develop bold policies around green building, climate change, and energy efficiency. We work side-by-side with city staff to implement the goals of the city council and community members. Check out our recent project with the City of South San Francisco. We are working with the city on their unique characteristics surrounding their reach codes in support of building electrification and electric vehicle charging infrastructure goals. 

All California cities that have adopted an Energy Reach Code during the current 2019 code cycle will be required to update or archive their local code by next year. ID360 has provided advisory, policy development, and program design and implementation services to many other local jurisdictions. Read our other case studies or contact us to talk about your policy design needs.