The current state of the global climate is dangerously close to reaching the point of no return. However, everything is not lost. Yet.
Alright, perhaps that is slightly dramatic.
Nevertheless, the problem of increasing carbon emissions is here, and it is very real.
There has been a consistent increase in industrialization around the globe, which has in turn, led several countries and unions to adopt policies which focus on climate control and minimize the carbon footprint on a large scale.
Since buildings are an endlessly growing area around the world, they consume tonnes of energy that can otherwise be saved by adopting efficient building techniques. For this purpose, the idea of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings was introduced. Commonly abbreviated as NZEBs, these buildings ideally have very high energy performance and require nearly zero or a very low amount of energy to function. This small amount of energy is produced by renewable sources that are available on-site or off-site.
In this article, we try to explore the journey towards sustainability of various countries across the world, their future targets, and the role of net-zero energy buildings in facilitating those goals.
Carbon Emission Targets till 2050 & The Current Scenario
The reason for the rise in the global temperature is mainly attributed to greenhouse gases and carbon emissions. To bring the emissions under control and build a green economy, it is necessary to set up reduction targets. Now, several countries have set up reduction targets for carbon emissions and are actively working towards its implementation. Here’s a look at how far they are along.
- United Kingdom
The UK recently adopted the net zero emissions target and has established a stance to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. To avoid carbon emissions on such a large scale, there has to be a complete evasion of emissions from homes, industries, and transport; and trees have to be planted on a large scale.
- United States of America
The USA aims to achieve long term energy efficiency through market transformation. The state of California is also focusing on clean energy production. By 2020, all new residential construction in California will be net-zero energy buildings and by 2030 new commercial constructions and around 50% of the existing commercial buildings will be net-zero energy. By 2030, all new federal buildings will be net-zero energy.
- Germany
As required by the European Commission, Germany aims to reduce the heat requirement of the building stock by 20% BY 2020, reduce the primary energy requirements by 80% by 2050 and to achieve an almost climate-neutral building stock by 2050.
- Japan
Japan has established tangible NZEB goals to be achieved until 2050. The country aims to make all new buildings net-zero energy buildings by 2020 and all the existing buildings to be net-zero energy buildings by 2050.
- India
While India’s greenhouse gas emissions have doubled over the last 25 years, the country is setting ambitious goals for the reduction of carbon emissions. The country is focusing on energy conservation and using alternate renewable sources of energy to reduce carbon emissions. It is also implementing state-level policies for NZEBs.
- United Arab Emirates
The UAE, on the other hand, has implemented various projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Dubai is ambitious in its endeavors to become a sustainable and green economy by 2050. It aims to reduce carbon footprint and achieve 75% of its renewable energy target by 2050.
In addition to that, several EU countries are in the process of drafting up national plans to increase energy efficiency with the help of Net-Zero Energy Buildings. However, it is not all smooth sailing for these countries. Here’s a look at the challenges that they face in reaching these targets.
Challenges that Hinder Green Targets
Even though the necessary steps have been taken to implement these changes to reduce carbon emissions and turn some of the leading countries in the world to green economies, there are several challenges in the way.
For a country to reach its energy efficiency goal, it is necessary for the public, i.e., the consumers to adapt to the change. Let us take a look at the challenges that countries might face in reaching their desired target for energy efficiency.
- Lack of Sufficient Funding
Today, all the major countries of the world have recognized climate change as a threat and have made collective deals in an attempt to curb its impact. But these developed countries are not equipped to take the necessary steps to control the carbon emission levels with accordance to their targets.
The lack of funding and investing in the green economy are also one of the most important challenges that countries face to reach their target.
- High Cost of Clean Technology
To reduce the levels of carbon emissions on a large scale, countries have proposed adopting sustainable and efficient energy methods. Unfortunately, the cost of sustainable and clean technology and energy is exorbitant. These high costs create limitations for using advanced technology in green buildings, which could otherwise curb carbon emissions.
- Low Adaptability of the Public
Fossil fuels, natural resources and other non-renewable sources of energy have been consumed limitlessly over generations. However, the switch from non-sustainable sources of energy to sustainable has to be a gradual one.
It is difficult for people to adapt to the changes proposed by the countries. Any sudden change will prove harmful to people’s lives than the effects of the carbon footprint itself. For companies to be switching to sustainable energy sources, will take a gradual period.
- The Illusion of Time
The most pressing concern is that of time. In the upcoming decade or so, it is necessary for every country to step up their efforts towards a sustainable future. This change is time-sensitive. Lack of certainty about future climate change is also one of the most major challenges in reaching the set targets.
The goals and targets for green economies are efficient on paper, but their practical implementations can prove to be inconvenient.
Mr. Sagar Kulkarni says, “Waste management in the current infrastructure is a challenge. The smell coming from Sewage Treatment Plants implemented for reducing carbon footprint becomes an issue that needs to be solved by appropriate design. However, the most important challenge is: why should the end-user spend so much time and money to invest in a ‘Net-Zero Energy Building’? This lack of awareness and motivation on the part of end-users creates a lack of demand.”
To gain further insights, let’s see what leaders across the globe had to say about the achievability of these targets. Here are their thoughts.
Thoughts From Across the Globe
“The UK is to raise its ambition on climate change by setting a legally binding target to cut its greenhouse gas emissions to “net-zero” by 2050.”
–Theresa May, Former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
The UK is one of the more environmentally-conscious countries in the world, which is taking significant efforts to meet its target of an emission-free country by 2050.
The next few years will be crucial in taking steps to control and reduce carbon emissions on a global level. It is necessary for countries to understand the importance of adopting sustainable energy methods and efficiently implement the same.
Trends such as prefabrication, on-site generation, Building Information Modelling, dual plumbing, and greywater reuse have taken root and are being used to enhance building performance.
Legislatively, the UK Building Regulations and the Association for Environment Conscious building are spearheading the drive towards sustainable buildings. The ambitious 25 Year Environment Plan aims to minimize waste, increasing resource efficiency, and increasing biosecurity to protect and improve the global environment.
Some of these include eliminating all avoidable waste by 2050 and all avoidable plastic waste by 2042.
Next in line is the USA. As the second-greatest consumer of energy in the developed world, the US’s stand will have a significant impact on the way the rest of the world approaches climate change. Former President Obama had a positive outlook towards curbing carbon emissions.
“The nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.”
–Barack Obama, Former President of the United States of America
The USGBC has developed the best-known and globally recognized LEED certification, an important standard for green buildings worldwide. In addition, several initiatives like the Green Building Initiative, aim to streamline and standardize green building practices. It is headed by the leading members of the construction community.
The Energy Star program created by the Environmental Protection Agency rates commercial buildings as per their efficiency and design.
However, the change in leadership has created a setback for the US, when it comes to carbon emission control. Power sector emissions increased by 1.1% in 2018, indicating that efforts need to be redoubled for targets to be achieved.
Closer home, countries like the UAE and India have invested in renewable energy to introduce sustainable energy methods in the country.
India has built several Net-Zero Energy Buildings and is creating huge amounts of energy through solar power, wind and water. The country has established major plants in its developing cities like New Delhi, Noida, Bhopal, and Ahmedabad. The country is also introducing national and state-level policies to develop sustainable energy.
According to its national climate action plans, the country sets goals to increase the share of non-fossil fuels to 40% of the total electricity generation capacity, to reduce the emission intensity of the economy by 33%-35% by 2030, and to create additional carbon sink of 2.5-3 billion tonne of Carbon dioxide equivalent through additional forests and tree cover.
The UAE has also taken a leading stance in becoming a green economy.
“The UAE has unprecedented resources to be able to move towards the front end of that pack and not only join Germany but probably move past Germany in terms of developing a green economy.”
–Professor Douglas Crawford-Brown, Director of Cambridge Center for Climate Change Mitigation Research
The UAE has installed its first onshore wind farm, green buildings, and factories. Additionally, the country is making several more policies and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and create sustainable energy options.
It is possible for countries to achieve their set targets by a joint effort and continual adoption of efficient techniques. The utilization of sustainable energy and resources will enable countries to harness and cultivate a green economy.
Also, another aspect of energy control is by industry. The construction industry plays a crucial role in curbing carbon emissions. Commercial and residential buildings together contribute to 40% of the total emissions in the world. Hence, the concept of Net-Zero Energy Buildings.
Let us now see how the construction industry can impact the green targets of these countries.
Role of the Construction Industry and Net-Zero Energy Buildings Towards Carbon Emission Control
According to the Global Status Report 2018, buildings and construction accounted for nearly 36% of global energy use and 40% of global carbon emissions. Building processes such as extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, maintenance, and disposal generate carbon dioxide in a high amount.
Therefore, it is necessary for the construction industry to adopt sustainable methods of development. This is where Net-Zero Energy Buildings come into the picture.
Over the last decade, Net-Zero Energy Buildings have come into particular prominence as countries adopt sustainable development measures. Today, 69 countries have voluntary or mandatory building energy codes in place, and 85 countries have building certification programs.
It is necessary to note though, that even with these measures, the global average building energy intensity per unit of floor area needs to be 30% less than what it is today.
Hence, contractors and consultants across the world are taking an energy-efficient approach, advocating the adoption of Net-Zero Energy Buildings.
Independent contractors and MEP consultants are aware of the changing demands of the construction industry and the way ahead. Says Mr. Sagar Kulkarni, MD of Consistent Engineering Consultants, Dubai, “The focus on Net-Zero Energy is the result of careful deliberation among leading think-tanks, governments, international regulatory bodies, scientists and industries. With a view to strengthening the efforts of all nations that are part of the Paris Agreement 2015, net-zero energy buildings are increasingly being seen as the natural way forward.”
The investment in achieving energy efficiency in buildings has also increased worldwide. Government spending on enabling an energy-efficient environment is six times what it was in 2010.
The UAE has implemented several strategies geared towards creating a greener, more sustainable future. E.g. The UAE Green Growth Strategy (GGS) aiming towards making the UAE a hub of green technology import/export, the UAE Green Agenda 2015-2030 geared towards creating integrated green infrastructure and honing green talent, the National Energy Plan for 2050 targeting the reduction of carbon emissions by 70%, Dubai Carbon Abatement Strategy 2021 that aims to reduce carbon emissions in the city by 16% by 2021.
Endnote
Climate change has long become a crucial threat that has the potential to wipe out existence as we know it. Realizing this, steps are being taken to curb the impact of human behavior in the world and measures are being implemented if retroactively, to mitigate the harm we have already caused.
Thus, the Paris Agreement was a strong step forward in the direction of sustainable development. Now, all we require is to follow through on the promises and claims made there.
What are your thoughts on the progress of the world in its green journey? Drop a comment to share them with us!