Low Carbonizing City Built Environments: Pathway to Net Zero by 2050

The World Green Building Council (WGBC) has officially launched the commitment to deliver the Paris agreement post COP 15 aiming to stay below 2 degree Celsius at the Global Climate Action Summit on 13th September, 2018. The path set to achieve this target is by aiming for 100% Net Zero by 2050. 22 cities are currently participating in the commitment to ensure all buildings under the green building umbrella operate at Net Zero by 2030, and all buildings at 100% by 2050.

Net Zero is zero or negative release of carbon emissions annually, with highly energy efficient buildings operating on this medium using means of on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources. Buildings currently contribute to approximately 40% or 1/3 of global GHG emissions reported by Sustainable Buildings and Climate Initiative of the UN Environment Programme. The WGBC seeks to lead the Net Zero carbon effort through means off COMMIT, DISCLOSE, ACT, VERIFY, ADVOCATE. The Commitment seeks to advance the low carbon built environment by promoting climate conscious behaviors and inspiring others to follow. Eleven Green Building Councils are committed to Net Zero carbon certification schemes in 2018/2019. Net Zero through certification scheme is one pathway, while others include involvement of local governments and businesses, industry education programmes and training activities. Other resources for pursuing Net Zero include National Renewable Energy Laboratory, U. S. EPA, ASHRAE, Architecture 2030, the New Buildings Institute, Earth Advantage, Pacific Gas and Electric and International Living Future Institute.

Cities looking to participate on the road to Net Zero must be infrastructure ready to include energy provisions to fuel these buildings. Efficient and effective design of buildings can ensure low carbon requirements are met. These design measures which may vary depending on climate zones have to account for lower heating loads, cooling loads, hot water and lighting loads. Using high energy efficient technologies can incur savings. Some of these techniques include heat pumps, added insulation on building structure, air sealed fixtures and building envelopes, shading elements, LED lighting, natural ventilation, Low-E glazing, energy and water conserving products and fixtures and fittings, solar water heating, heat recovery units, natural lighting fixtures and design for solar plus storage. Australia and Europe have the highest commercial and residential solar rooftop technologies. Solar and wind technologies are gaining prominence in the renewables market. Grid reliance allows for optimal results. Danish and German girds are the most reliable. Land space for these technologies is essential in planning for net zero as roof top energy provisions are currently limited and better technological provisions are yet to come.

Amongst the design challenges for Net Zero involve retrofitting existing buildings which are significantly more when compared to new upcoming developments. WGBC has identified countries in which to pilot the Net Zero programme because of growth in the building market. A clearly established climate policy for the built environment, superior building and energy codes, advanced infrastructure, incentives for Net Zero design, retrofit standards can effectively help cities stay on target in the race for Net Zero carbon by 2050.