AIA Report Finds Increasing Number of Design Projects Meeting Carbon Reduction Targets

Introduced in 2009, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2030 Commitment Program, a voluntary initiative for architecture firms and other entities in the built environment to commit their practice to advancing the AIA’s goal of carbon neutral buildings by the year 2030, has produced a report assessing their work.

“There is some very encouraging data in this report that shows how architects are making measurable progress towards reducing the carbon emissions in their design projects,” said AIA Chief Executive Officer, Robert Ivy, FAIA. “But one of the major findings from our research is that in order to maximize the energy efficiency of buildings and to realize our ultimate goal of carbon neutral buildings, energy modeling must become a standard part of the design practice.”

Among the findings from the 2030 Commitment 2013 Progress Report: a 19% average firm reduction in lighting power density for interior projects, an increase of 2% from 2012. Other key findings:

• 401 design projects are meeting the 60% carbon reduction target – a 200% increase from 2012
• 2,464 projects have been accounted for in this report – a 150% increase form 2012
• 1.6 billion gross square feet (GSF) represented in this data – a 9% increase from 2012
• 66% of total GSF using energy modeling to predict operational energy consumption – a 14% increase form 2012
• 34% average Predicted Energy Use Intensity reduction reported by firms – a decrease of 3% from 2012
• 7% of total GSF meeting the current 60% carbon reduction target – a decrease of 7% from 2012
• 99 firms submitted reports – a 10% decrease from 2012

Click here to get the report.

Craig DiLouie

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