Could Tougher Building Codes Fix Climate Change?

CLIMATEWIRE | Energy Department Urges States to Adopt Stronger Energy Standards for Buildings

CLIMATEWIRE | It seems almost too good to be true.

But the Energy Department says one step by states would help the United States reduce future carbon emissions by nearly 2 billion metric tons and cut $180 billion from the country’s collective energy bill over 30 years. And the move needs no new technology, equipment, infrastructure or vehicles and would be the equivalent of removing 445 million gasoline-powered cars from the road over 30 years.

What’s required is for states to force new buildings to meet stronger energy standards that reduce consumption.

The Benefits of Stronger Energy Standards

The Energy Department is touting the benefits of this change in an unprecedented campaign that urges states to make buildings more climate-friendly by adopting new energy codes.

The campaign is unusual because DOE is offering states millions of dollars each through a new energy-codes program. DOE also has produced data showing the amount in energy bills and emissions that each state would drop by adopting up-to-date energy codes.

The data highlight the unheralded role that state building energy codes play in climate change — and the archaic condition of most state codes.

Projected Savings and Reductions

Arizona could save energy ratepayers in the state $23 billion over 30 years, according to DOE. That’s the equivalent of $8,600 per household.

The state also could cut building emissions by 253 million metric tons in that period. That’s the equivalent of removing 2 million gasoline-powered cars from the road.

Arizona ranks first in projected savings and reductions — both in total and per-capita numbers — in part because its building energy code is more than 14 years old. The code is one of the oldest in the United States.

The Need for Code Updates

“Energy codes are pretty behind the times,” said Cherylyn Kelley, manager of building energy codes and policy at the Institute for Market Transformation, a nonprofit focused on building improvement. “There’s an immense amount of opportunity for states to update.”

Funding and Resistance

DOE is offering Arizona $10.5 million — one of the largest state allocations — to help develop, implement and enforce a new energy code. Every state is eligible for several million dollars under a $400-million DOE energy-codes program created by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

A DOE spokesperson said states with older energy codes such as Arizona will see “more efficiency savings” by adopting a new code. States with newer energy codes such as Massachusetts “will see less incremental savings,” the spokesperson said in an email.

The Inflation Reduction Act along with the bipartisan infrastructure law created several programs aimed at improving state energy codes and reducing building emissions. Buildings produce 30 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to EPA.

Yet the funding comes amid growing resistance to improving energy codes and other building standards.

The Republican-controlled North Carolina legislature in August blocked an effort by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to strengthen the state’s energy codes. In June, U.S. House Republicans sought to defund the new DOE energy-code program.

“It’s a pretty political process,” Kelley said, noting that home builders have lobbied effectively against updated codes in some state legislatures.

The Importance of Updating Energy Codes

DOE records show that in 24 states, the building energy code for residential buildings was written before 2010. Twelve states use pre-2010 codes for commercial buildings.

Homes built under new energy codes are 40 percent more efficient than homes built under codes written 15 years ago, DOE says.

States typically adopt model energy codes written by large nonprofit groups. The International Code Council writes the code for residential buildings. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, known as ASHRAE, writes energy codes for commercial buildings.

Both organizations produce new codes every three years. But U.S. states are slow to adopt the updates.

Only five states have the most up-to-date residential codes, published in 2021, according to DOE. Ten states have up-to-date commercial codes.

In addition, eight states do not have a statewide energy code, which leaves any requirements to counties and municipalities.

“It costs money and time to update to new codes,” Kelley said. “There are additional costs with adhering with new codes and getting the workforce up to date.”

Funding Allocation and Application

The DOE created a formula based in part on population and potential savings to

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 13: Climate Action

The article discusses the importance of adopting new energy codes for buildings to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and address climate change. These issues align with the goals of SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency
• SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management
• SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article emphasizes the need to update building energy codes to improve energy efficiency, reduce emissions, and address climate change. Achieving these goals would contribute to the targets under SDG 7.3, SDG 11.6, and SDG 13.2.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Energy savings in dollars
• Reduction in carbon emissions (metric tons)
• Number of gasoline-powered cars removed from the road
• Age of building energy codes
• Adoption of up-to-date energy codes

The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include energy savings in dollars, reduction in carbon emissions (metric tons), the number of gasoline-powered cars removed from the road, the age of building energy codes, and the adoption of up-to-date energy codes.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: scientificamerican.com

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