Architecture 2030 announced this week encouraging progress within the Building Sector toward reaching the carbon-reduction goals outlined in the organization’s 2030 Challenge. According to newly released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the agency’s Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projections to the year 2030 show estimates of residential and commercial building energy use in 2030 have been dropping since 2005–and are projected to reach a 70% reduction due to improved design and performance measures, even with a 38.6% projected increase in U.S. building floor area within the same period.
The 2030 Challenge sets a target goal of achieving carbon-neutral performance by the year 2030, so while the latest AEO offers positive data, it is not as Architecture 2030 noted a “mission accomplished” moment.
“I’m happy to share some good news on the energy and climate crisis for a change,” says Edward Mazria, founder of Architecture 2030 and a Vision 2020 chair. “The good news is the train has left the station. The only question now is, are we on the local or the express? Our role is to ensure we’re on the express.”
According to Architecture 2030, the improved building design and efficiency has put the 2030 Challenge energy reduction target within reach.