Reaching Net Zero

by Marcy Marro | August 1, 2022 12:00 am

The goal of net zero is important to reduce the impact of climate change by reducing the impact of buildings. We all know the statistics, that buildings account for nearly 40% of all carbon emissions. And according to a 2020 United Nations report[1], buildings must reduce at least 50% of their carbon emissions by 2030 to achieve net zero by 2050. And while a lot of work is being done to move us in the right direction, 2030 will be here before we know it.

In June, the U.S. Green Building Council[2] (USGBC) announced that nearly 100 net zero certifications had been earned under its LEED Zero program, representing more than 23 million square feet of space[3]. Additionally, a quarter of LEED Zero projects earned multiple certifications, showing achievement of net zero goals in several categories.

USGBC partnered with WorldGBC[4] on its Advancing Net Zero Report 2022, which highlights leadership action from 30 green building councils around the world as the building and construction sector works toward achieving total sector decarbonization. The report includes a progress update on the advancing net zero whole life carbon emissions program, regional updates, net zero trends and innovation on legislative and technological levels, a mythbuster section that addresses common misconceptions about net zero buildings, success stories on embedding net zero buildings into operations, an update on WorldGBC global advocacy efforts in relation to the COP26 climate action agenda, and more. The report can be downloaded at worldgbc.org/advancing-net-zero-status-report-2022[5].

The race to net zero is, and will continue to be, one of the biggest challenges the building and construction industry is facing. The need to achieve a low-carbon future is upon us, and we need to be doing everything we can to make sure we reach the goals of net zero.

Source URL: https://www.metalarchitecture.com/blog/reaching-net-zero/

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