Earth Day 2024: Expanding Energy Savings To Every Home And Building
Earth Day 2024: Expanding Energy Savings To Every Home And Building Forbes
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Buildings and Sustainable Development Goals
Introduction
Buildings are energy-intensive, creating about 40% of global fuel-based emissions. Poor insulation and inefficient energy management contribute to this problem, such as leaving lights on all night or keeping the AC or heat flowing in empty rooms.
The IMPEL Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s tech-to-market program, IMPEL, aims to advance next-generation building decarbonization technologies. These technologies include 3D-printed thermal energy storage, drones that scan neighborhoods for leaks, and wind turbines installed in tight spaces.
Earth Day and Energy Users
Earth Day is accessible to all energy users, especially homeowners and facility managers.
Creating a Market Pull
IMPEL is creating a market pull for building decarbonization technologies by pushing technologies vetted by national labs and creating public demand.
The Impact of IMPEL
The Energy Department formed IMPEL five years ago to decarbonize the energy sector. Since then, about 250 teams have raised $90 million, created 180 jobs, and won 167 awards, grants, and prizes. Much of that funding is going to underprivileged communities. National lab scientists train innovators to measure their technologies’ greenhouse gas reduction potential.
Examples of Sustainable Technologies
- QuitCarbon is a free, local service that helps homeowners replace gas appliances with clean electric alternatives.
- Flower Turbines has raised $14 million to boost manufacturing of its small-scale, flower-shaped wind turbines.
- Aeroshield Materials is expanding its manufacturing capacity to make energy-efficient window technology.
Value Propositions for Businesses and Homeowners
Inventors bring three value propositions to the table: operational savings or reduced capital expenditures, ease of use, and environmental and social benefits with minimal intrusion into people’s lives.
Funding and Training for the Underprivileged
The Energy Department ensures that a third of innovation and development goes to the underprivileged section of society by providing funding and training to those who deserve it.
Conclusion
The mission of achieving net zero and promoting equitable wellness is well underway. Earth Day initiatives like IMPEL are making a significant impact in the building sector, driving sustainable technologies and creating a more sustainable future for all.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 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 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes
- 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
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the following indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:
- Investment raised for decarbonization technologies
- Number of jobs created in the energy sector
- Number of awards, grants, and prizes won by teams working on decarbonization technologies
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of energy-efficient technologies
- Number of buildings retrofitted with energy-efficient products
- Increased adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies in industries
- Improvement in energy efficiency of buildings
- Reduction in carbon emissions from buildings
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency | – Investment raised for decarbonization technologies – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of energy-efficient technologies |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.4: By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes | – Investment raised for decarbonization technologies – Number of jobs created in the energy sector – Number of awards, grants, and prizes won by teams working on decarbonization technologies – Increased adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies in industries |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | 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 | – Number of buildings retrofitted with energy-efficient products – Improvement in energy efficiency of buildings – Reduction in carbon emissions from buildings |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning | – Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through the use of energy-efficient technologies |
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: forbes.com
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