Yesterday, we published a blog post listing several cities across the United States that have implemented building energy laws to achieve significant carbon emissions reduction as a collective. Today, we want to delve into the importance of Cities implementing these laws.
Reduced Carbon Emissions
Building energy laws contribute significantly to the reduction of carbon emissions, aligning with broader climate goals and supporting a transition to a low-carbon economy. Cities like New York, Seattle and San Francisco have implemented a robust plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Not only cities, but states as well. New York State, for example, has an aggressive plan to reduce greenhouse emissions by at least 85% by 2050 from 1990 levels. In 2019, the state’s total gross carbon emissions were 23% lower than 1990. The following year, in 2020, the state’s total gross carbon emissions were 15% lower than 1990. Within a year, the state was able to decrease more in emissions than it did in 30 years. Building energy laws such as the ones implemented in New York City will help to exponentially decrease GHG emissions over the next several years.
Increased Energy Efficiency
By enforcing energy audits and efficiency measures, these laws drive the adoption of sustainable technologies and practices, resulting in increased energy efficiency across urban landscapes.
Back to New York City, its new building energy laws require buildings over 25,000 square feet to conduct comprehensive energy audits and to retro-commission their base building equipment every ten years.
Seattle also requires its buildings to conduct tune-ups of its buildings, which can generate 10-15% in energy savings.
Resilient Urban Infrastructure
Building energy laws promote the development of resilient and sustainable urban infrastructure, creating cities better equipped to withstand the challenges posed by climate change. Atlanta’s Clean Energy Atlanta plan set a goal for using 100% clean energy across all municipal and community operations by 2035.
As cities forge ahead with building energy laws, Big Shine Worldwide stands as a committed partner in helping businesses and property owners navigate this transformative landscape. Our sustainable solutions align seamlessly with the objectives of these laws, offering comprehensive support in achieving compliance and creating a more energy-efficient urban environment.
