Watch out. You might get what you’re after!
Climate change is bad news!
But wait. We have good news about the bad news. The bad news is that the built environment is responsible for the majority of global CO2 emissions that contribute to climate change. The good news is that we know how to design and build homes that contribute to the solution rather than perpetuate the problem. The other good news is that carbon dioxide emissions are being reduced, in part due to energy efficiency and increased use of renewable energy. We are committed to that path. The bad news is that we are well short of the reductions that need to be made. Thus, there is urgency.
Buildings are a big part of the problem
Zero Net Carbon (ZNC) buildings address this urgent need to mitigate the CO2 impacts of fossil fuel based energy consumption. A ZNC building is defined as a highly energy efficient building that produces on-site, or procures, enough carbon-free renewable energy to meet building operations energy consumption annually. In a ZNC building, carbon-based energy consumption is reduced first through building design strategies and efficiency measures, then through on-site renewable energy generation, and finally through procurement of locally produced off-site renewable energy.
A net zero carbon building also needs to be designed and constructed with limited embodied emissions. In many cases the best way to minimize embodied carbon emissions is to re-use, remodel and/or retrofit an existing building rather than building a new one. Secondary key opportunities for new builds are not including a basement and choosing an efficient form factor. Low embodied carbon materials are also then needed; examples include sustainably sourced timber, materials with high recycled contents and low carbon cement replacements.
As we watch the political will to respond to climate change challenged it has become clear that we can’t wait for politics, bureaucracy, or legislation to make this progress. It’s going to be up to each of us to take direct action to make the built environment a positive asset on the balance sheet of the planet.
We can design and build or remodel Net Zero Carbon homes.
You can become energy conscious, reduce use, and install or purchase renewably produced energy. Contact us to learn more. If you can’t install it, purchase renewable energy for the same reasons you favor buying healthy, organic food.