While green building rating systems like LEED address various environmental impacts, special attention must be given to climate change due to its significant association with buildings and land-use, which contribute to a substantial portion of greenhouse gas emissions. Effective policies at the local, state, and federal levels should reflect a clear understanding of the link between climate change and the built environment. Merely reducing the effects of human activity on the climate is not sufficient for green building; it must also prepare us for the inevitable consequences of climate change on our homes, communities, and society as a whole. A sustainable future entails not only higher-performing buildings but also higher-performing communities.
The built environment, encompassing buildings and transportation systems, accounts for more than two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions result from various elements within the built environment, such as building systems, energy consumption, transportation, water usage and treatment, land cover changes, materials, and construction processes. By enhancing the efficiency of buildings and communities, we can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
However, focusing solely on building design and construction is insufficient to achieve the necessary emissions reductions required to mitigate climate change. The location of buildings is equally crucial. For instance, a typical 135,000-square-foot office building that complies with building codes in a suburban area heavily reliant on cars would generate approximately 8,375 tons of carbon emissions, or 11.8 tons per person. Since the building is situated in the suburbs, transportation-related emissions, particularly from commuting, contribute to half of the total emissions associated with the project.
The location of a building plays a significant role in determining its overall emissions. When a building is situated in a location that is easily accessible by public transportation, cycling, or walking, the transportation-related emissions decrease significantly compared to a car-oriented suburban location. Consequently, the proportion of emissions from building systems increases.
Additionally, when a building is designed and operated as a green building with improved energy and water performance, the total emissions can be further reduced. In the example you provided, the total emissions decreased to 3,233 tons, or 4.6 tons per person, by implementing green building practices. This showcases the crucial connection between buildings and land use and highlights the necessity of addressing both aspects to achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
By considering sustainable building practices, energy efficiency measures, and thoughtful land-use planning, we can effectively mitigate the environmental impact of buildings and contribute to the overall reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon emissions serve as a valuable measure for several aspects of green buildings and communities, such as energy, water, waste, materials, and transportation. However, green building encompasses more than simply reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is crucial to establish objectives for other important factors, including indoor air quality, human health, and habitat protection. This comprehensive goal-setting process encourages the development of programs and policies that promote sustainable communities. Further details about the goal-setting process will be provided in Section 3.
ENERGY CONSUMPTION: BUILDING-ASSOCIATED TRANSPORTATION VERSUS OPERATIONS
Regarding energy consumption, there is a notable disparity between the energy expended by office workers commuting to and from an average office building in the United States and the energy consumed by the building itself for activities like heating, cooling, lighting, and other energy uses. In fact, for an office building constructed according to modern energy codes (ASHRAE 90.1–2010), commuters use more than twice the amount of energy compared to the building itself.
Flexibility and adaptability are increasingly important qualities in green projects. While the long-term impacts of climate change remain uncertain, we do know that sea levels will rise, temperatures will increase, droughts will become more prolonged and widespread, and flooding will intensify. The specific experiences of different regions regarding these changes will vary significantly, and building professionals will need to assess the potential threats to their communities and respond accordingly.
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