Buildings & Green House Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are substantial. New
buildings can be constructed using passive solar building design,
low- or zero-energy building techniques, using renewable heat
sources. Existing buildings can be made more efficient through
the use of insulation, high-efficiency appliances (particularly
hot water heaters and furnaces), double- or triple-glazed
windows, external window shades, and building orientation and
siting. Renewable heat sources such as shallow
geothermal and passive solar energy reduce the amount of
greenhouse gasses emitted.
Buildings & Energy Efficiency
In addition to designing buildings which are more energy
efficient to heat, it is possible to design buildings that are
more energy efficient to cool by using lighter-colored, more
reflective materials in the development of urban areas (e.g. by
painting roofs white) and planting trees. This saves energy
because it cools buildings and reduces the urban heat island
effect thus reducing the use of air conditioning. While a number
of “green building” rating systems have been developed, the most
well-known is the LEED system, developed by the U.S. Green
Building Council (USGBC), a non-profit trade organization that
promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built, and
operated.
Case Study:
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) office in
Santa Monica, California – One of the greenest office buildings
in America
LEED
LEED is a third party certification program and standard for the
design, construction and operation of high performance green
buildings. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 2000,
LEED serves as a tool for buildings of all types and sizes. LEED
certification offers third party validation of a project’s green
features and verifies that the building is operating as designed.
LEED System/USGBC
GREEN GLOBES
Green Globes is a third party certification program and standard
for the design, construction and operation of high performance
green buildings. It is a web-based program for
green building guidance and certification that includes an onsite
assessment by a third party.
Green Globes
CALGREEN
CalGreen is a building code that requires, at a minimum, that new
buildings and renovations in California meet certain
sustainability and ecological standards.
CalGreen
BUILD IT GREEN
Build It Green is a membership-supported Bay Area nonprofit
established in 2005. This organization works with building
and real estate professionals, local and state governments, and
homeowners to increase awareness and adoption of green building
practices. Their mission is to promote healthy, energy- and
resource-efficient building practices in California through
outreach and education.
Build It Green
