This page last reviewed Feb. 27, 2012
California Green Building Strategy
Highlights
Buildings represent the second largest source of California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Significant GHG emission reductions can be achieved through sustainable construction, operation, and renovation of new and existing buildings. Since 1978, when building energy efficiency standards, “Title 24”, were adopted, Californian’s have saved more than $56 billion in electricity and natural gas costs. Green buildings provide a cost-effective strategy that supports California’s GHG reduction goals. According to a 2007 cost analysis study, “there is no significant difference in average cost for green buildings as compared to non-green buildings.” Matthiessen 2007 Green buildings reduce operating costs and save money over time.
AB 32 Scoping Plan identified several actions to help California reduce GHG emissions from both new and existing buildings. ARB is looking to achieve 26 MMT CO2e of emission reductions from the green building sector, which represents 15 percent of California’s 2020 greenhouse gas emission reduction target of 169 MMT CO2e.
In addition to achieving GHG reductions to meet AB 32 targets, the green building strategy also provides a significant contribution towards meeting the following goals:
Executive Order S-3-05 calls for reducing greenhouse gas emission reduction for 2020 to 1990 levels; and for 2050, reduce GHG emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels.
Executive Order S-20-04 calls for reducing electricity consumption in existing and new state-owned buildings state buildings 20 percent by 2015, through designing, constructing and operating all new and renovated state-owned facilities as "LEED Silver" or higher certified buildings. For more information on how the State is achieving this requirement, visit the Department of General Services Green Building Program website.
The following table shows the measures identified in the AB 32 Scoping Plan to reduce GHG emissions from buildings:
| Measure | Description | 2020 Reductions |
|---|---|---|
| Green
Building Standards Code |
Consistent mandatory provisions for all building types | 2.9* |
| Beyond Code | Encourage voluntary efforts to go beyond mandatory code requirements | 3.6* |
| Existing Building Retrofits | Retrofit existing State, school, residential and commercial buildings | 20* |
| Total | 26* | |
* Units of million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MMTCO2e.)
Related Links
The websites listed below provide additional information on green building climate actions as well as specific recommendations on ways to save energy, use renewable energy, save water, recycle, and buy green.
- CoolCalifornia.org – Green Building Resources website includes audience specific pages for local governments, businesses, schools, and individuals that provide tools and resources on how to save energy, calculate a carbon footprint, find financial incentives, and become more informed.
- Department of General Services - Green Building Program and Department of General Services California Green Building Directory websites provide information on existing, owned and leased state buildings that have increased energy efficiency and environmental performance.
- Build It Green is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote healthy, energy and resource-efficient homes in California.
- U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization that offers LEED green building certification programs as well as other cost-efficient and energy-savings information.
- Green Building website includes information for homeowner and building professionals on how to build green.
- Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) - Green Building website provides information on sustainable buildings and other green building activities.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency - Green Building Program website
For questions or comments, please contact Mary Farr
at (916) 445-8290
