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American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment - AIA/COTE

The American Institute of Architects' Committee on the Environment (AIA/COTE) works to advance, disseminate, and advocate—to the profession, the building industry, the academy, and the public—design practices that integrate constructed and natural systems and enhance the design quality and environmental performance of homes and other buildings. Under the guidance of the AIA, a variety of energy professional have developed the Advanced Energy Design Guides (for Small Offices and Retail Establishments), a how-to-guide for producing more energy efficient buildings.

The AIA is also raising climate awareness with it 2030 Challenge 2006. The challenge calls for all new buildings and major renovations to immediately reduce their energy consumption by 50 percent, and all new buildings to be “carbon neutral” by 2030.
The target challenges are:

• All new buildings, developments and major renovations shall be designed to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
• At a minimum, an equal amount of existing building area shall be renovated annually to meet a fossil fuel, GHG-emitting, energy consumption performance standard of 50% of the regional (or country) average for that building type.
• The fossil fuel reduction standard for all new buildings shall be increased to:
1. 60% in 2010
2. 70% in 2015
3. 80% in 2020
4. 90% in 2025
5. Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate).

These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing (20% maximum) renewable energy and/or certified renewable energy credits.

- Robyn Parker, AIA LEED AP

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