White Paper Focuses on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Glass and glazing products and technologies for commercial and residential applications offer a number of characteristics and features that can help buildings perform more energy efficiently. In an effort to promote the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the building sector, the nonprofit organization Architecture 2030 has released a white paper titled "Meeting the 2030 Challenge Through Building Codes." The group's 2030 challenge calls for a 50-percent reduction in energy consumption, including fossil fuel, GHG-emitting energy, of all new buildings and major renovations by 2010, and for incrementally increasing the reduction every five years so that all new buildings are carbon neutral by 2030.

"Meeting reduction targets through existing codes is the critical 'missing piece' to getting major reductions underway immediately," says Edward Mazria, Architecture 2030 executive director.

According to information provided by Architecture 2030, the need for a code-based approach prompted it to develop code equivalents, which are additional reductions beyond the requirements of a particular code, standard or rating system to meet the initial 50-percent target for 2030.

"Implementing the 2030 Challenge targets through building codes creates a huge opportunity for everyone in the building sector to become a part of the solution to the climate change crisis, from architects and engineers to glass and coatings manufacturers and installers," Mazria adds.

Max Perilstein, vice president of marketing for Arch Aluminum & Glass, and architectural glass and metal fabricator, says the technological advances of the glass industry are proof that companies are willing and able to set and meet goals to better the products it produces.

"Just about everyone is on the verge of rolling out building integrated photovoltaic products, as well as solar options," says Perilstein, who adds that the glass industry welcomes such challenges, but won't be unfairly policed without the necessary means.

"I have no problem with the codes, so long as they are enforced fairly, necessarily and provide value for all," Perilstein adds.

"The 2030 Challenge code equivalents … provide a simple, practicable solution using existing building energy codes and rating systems," reads the paper. "By amending existing codes based on these code equivalents, governments can be confident that their codes meet the initial 50-percent reduction target of the 2030 Challenge."

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