The 2030 °Challenge

The 2030 °Challenge is an initiative by Edward Mazria and Architecture 2030 asking the global architecture and construction community to adopt a series of greenhouse gas reduction targets for new and renovated buildings.

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In many developed countries the construction and use of buildings is the leading consumer of energy and producer of greenhouse gas emissions. Stabilizing and reversing emissions in this sector is key to keeping future global warming under one degree Celsius (°C) above today’s level, in order to avoid dangerous climate change.

The targets

The following are the targets set by The 2030 °Challenge:

• All new buildings, developments and major renovations be designed to meet a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.

• At a minimum, an amount of existing building area equal to that of new construction be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas (GHG) emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
  

• The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings be increased to:

60% in 2010
70% in 2015
80% in 2020
90% in 2025
Carbon-neutral by 2030 (zero fossil-fuel, GHG emitting energy to operate).

Achieving the targets may be accomplished through innovative design strategies, application of renewable technologies and/or the purchase (maximum 20%) of renewable energy.

See also

• Architecture 2030
• The 2010 Imperative
• Avoiding Dangerous Climate Change
• Sustainable architecture
• Green building
• Low-energy building
• Low-carbon economy