An American Institute of Architects (AIA) report found the majority of architecture firms involved in the AIA 2030 Commitment initiative reached carbon reduction goals.
Firms part of the voluntary initiative commit their practice to advancing AIA’s goal of carbon-neutral buildings by 2030. Key findings from the “2014 Progress Report” include:
- 140 firms submitted reports—a 41 percent increase from 2013;
- 2.3 billion gross square feet (GSF) represented in data— a 50 percent increase;
- 4353 projects have been accounted for— a 78 percent increase;
- 197 net-zero-energy projects— a 270 percent increase;
- 413 design projects meet the 60 percent reduction target— a three percent increase;
- 22 percent average firm reduction in lighting power density for interior project— a three percent increase;
- 34 percent average predicted energy use intensity (EUI) reduction reported— a three percent decrease;
- 11 percent total GSF meeting the current 60 percent reduction target—a four percent increase: and,
- 53 percent total GSF use energy modeling to predict operational energy consumption—a 13 percent decrease.
“This is a significant step in the right direction showcasing the strides being made by the design and construction community to reduce the energy consumption of buildings,” said AIA’s CEO, Robert Ivey. “But, we are still a long way from achieving our ultimate goal of carbon neutrality. We hope the progress outlined in this report can generate greater urgency to meet or exceed the targets by architects and their clients.”
AIA partnered with the Department of Energy (DOE) to create the AIA 2030 Design Data Exchange (DDx), an online monitoring, reporting, and research tool for architecture firms.
