- The U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement calls for reducing emissions by a minimum of 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
- The Cities for Climate Protection campaign of the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) recommends reduction targets of 15 percent or more within 10 years.
- The 2030 Challenge, an architect-led campaign, calls for immediately reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent and then making progressively deeper cuts so that by 2030, all new buildings will be carbon-neutral.
- Cool Counties, an initiative launched at the National Association of Counties 2007 annual conference, suggests targets that would to halt the growth in emissions by 2010 and reduce emissions by 80 percent by 2050.
You may wind up with hybrid goals that combine elements of these national programs with goals related to specific green building rating programs. Albuquerque’s Green Path Program, which includes a green building program known as “Fast Track for Green Buildings,” established the following goals:
- Achieve a LEED Silver certification for all city-funded new construction and major renovations projects.
- Set energy performance targets for new municipal buildings at levels suggested by the 2030 Challenge, an architect-led initiative aimed at making all buildings carbon-neutral by 2030.
- Amend the local building administrative codes to foster and facilitate energy efficiency and green buildings.
- Encourage residential builders and homeowners to adopt Build Green NM, a statewide residential program.
A commitment to action by elected officials can go a long way toward supporting city staff members who are developing a green building plan.
“The Mayor’s commitment and councils support of our Green Building Program has really gone a long way to creating momentum at the City of Albuquerque.” John Bucholz, Building Code Consultant for Albuquerque, New Mexico.
