Edmonton architect aims for zero carbon buildings

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton architect aims for zero carbon buildings
Hanneke Brooymans, edmontonjournal.com
Published: 12:49 pm

EDMONTON - An Edmonton-based architectural design firm says it has become the first in the province and the second in the country to adopt a target to design zero carbon buildings by 2030.

Manasc Isaac Architects has officially adopted the 2030 Challenge, a global architecture and building initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The challenge was also adopted by The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada earlier this year, under the presidency of Vivian Manasc.
Email to a friendEmail to a friendPrinter friendlyPrinter friendly
Font:

* *
* *
* *
* *

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

The construction and operation of buildings pumps a lot of greenhouse gas emissions into the air. Fuel combustion in the residential and commercial/institutional categories accounted for 5.6 per cent (42 million tonnes) and 4.9 per cent (37 million tonnes), respectively, of all greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, according to Environment Canada's latest emissions report.

The challenge aims to reduce those emissions in phases.

It calls for a fossil fuel, greenhouse gas, and energy consumption performance of 50 per cent below industry standard for all new buildings, developments and major renovations. The challenge also calls for an additional 10 per cent reduction every five years, with a long-term target of buildings that are carbon-neutral (using no fossil fuel, greenhouse gas-emitting energy to operate) by 2030.

A more ambitious timetable is underway in the United Kingdom, where the government has pledged that new homes would be carbon neutral from 2016.

hbrooymans@thejournal.canwest.com


© Edmonton Journal 2007