A lot happened in November. With elections behind us and a tumultuous year drawing to a close, the industry looked up to see what’s on the horizon.
MOVING TARGET
Ed Mazria of Architecture 2030 published an open letter urging the executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change to begin publishing updated global carbon budgets immediately. In 2018, the UN group calculated that limiting future emissions to 420 GtCO2 would create a 67% probability of keeping global warming within the 1.5˚C target set in the Paris Accord. But nearly three years on, that budget is already greatly reduced. Mazria says immediate actions are necessary to cut 65% of emissions over the next decade and the remainder by 2040. “Currently, many governments, industries, businesses, NGOs, organizations, and UN affiliates are using outdated targets and timelines,” he wrote.
On Architecture 2030 (450 words)
Immediate Action Required: An Open Letter to the UNFCCC Secretariat
GreenBiz founder Joel Makower raised a similar alarm this month over ambiguous “net zero” targets being set by more and more organizations.
Is 'Net-Zero' Greenwash?
LESS APPEALING
The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for new residential and commercial buildings is now finalized. Lauren Urbanek of the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) explains how an appeals process attempted to overturn more than 20 of the proposals voted into the code by governmental officials. "While there will still be significant energy efficiency gains—including options for constructing zero-energy homes and commercial buildings—builders and industry groups were successful in getting the most innovative and forward-looking proposals overturned," she wrote.
On Green Building Advisor (1000 words)
At Long Last, a Truly Final 2021 Energy Code
The HYNDENBURG, PART 2
For years, hydrogen has been touted as a promising clean transportation fuel (for cars, not airships). But with plans emerging to heat homes in the UK with hydrogen, Gabriel Levy of People and Nature, wrote this detailed piece blasting the idea. He explains why “green” hydrogen made with renewable electricity is unrealistic; “blue” hydrogen made from fossil fuels with carbon capture is unproven; and “grey” hydrogen from fossil fuels without carbon capture is already a huge source of global emissions. “Oil and gas companies support switching the gas grid to hydrogen, as a survival option in case of decarbonization, as hydrogen is usually fabricated from gas,” he writes.
Republished on The Fifth Estate (2,700 words)
Hydrogen for homes is a terrible idea. We should fight it
RESOURCES
November was Greenbuild month. The annual conference was held virtually for the first time. If you were unable to attend, here’s an overview of the new initiatives put forward by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Plus, a summary of Greenbuild’s keynotes given by Christiana Figueres, former executive secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and USGBC’s CEO, Mahesh Ramanujam.
Lastly, the USGBC is seeking feedback on a roadmap for All In—a new program that aims to build equity by overcoming social, health and economic disparities within communities.
Free PDF Download From New Growth
21 Green Building Publications That Want Your Articles
Includes descriptions, rankings and tips on submission
To have the New Growth Newsletter sent directly to your inbox at the end of each month, register here.
Please take care of yourself and your neighbors.
Bart King
