Cutting Edge Research

Coastal Impact Study:
Nation Under Siege

The 2030 Challenge

By the year 2035, three-quarters of the built environment in the US will be either new or renovated.

Each year, we build approximately five billion square feet of new buildings, renovate approximately five billion square feet and demolish approximately 1.75 billion square feet of existing buildings. By the year 2035, three-quarters of the built environment in the US will be either new or renovated. This transformation of the built environment over the next 30 years represents a historic opportunity to dramatically reduce the Building Sector’s CO2 emissions.

To take advantage of this opportunity, Architecture 2030 issued ‘The 2030 Challenge’, calling for an immediate 50% fossil-fuel energy consumption reduction for all new and renovated buildings, incrementally increasing the reduction for new buildings to carbon neutral by 2030. Specifically, the Challenge calls for the following:
  • 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:

    60% in 2010
    70% in 2015
    80% in 2020
    90% in 2025
    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.

The 2030 Challenge has been adopted and supported by the US Conference of Mayors, American Institute of Architects, US Green Building Council, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, National Association of Counties and numerous states, counties and cities. By implementing the Challenge, we can first stabilize, and then begin reducing fossil-fuel energy consumption in the Building Sector. Renovating existing buildings to consume 50% less fossil fuel energy allows for new efficient buildings to be built without increasing the sector’s energy demand.

If we stop building conventional coal-fired power plants, phase out existing coal plants and simultaneously reduce the emissions of the Building Sector, we can avert the worst consequences of climate change. If we begin now, we make it; the numbers are on our side. If we wait, even 10 years, this window of opportunity is lost.



To return to the map interface click here
or select a location from the menu below:


US Building Stock