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Exploring the Dynamics Behind Net-Zero Building Standards
What influences and stories have contributed to the global acceptance of net-zero building standards? Additionally, what challenges and shortcomings do these initiatives face, which may hinder their effectiveness in transforming the construction industry?
These pivotal questions are explored by Lisa Hasan in her recent doctoral thesis, co-supervised by Gonzalo Lizarralde from the School of Architecture and Erick Lachapelle from the Department of Political Science at Université de Montréal.
The findings from Hasan’s research were recently published in Construction Management and Economics.
A Focus on World Green Building Council
The core of her investigation revolves around the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC), an entity formed through a coalition of several national organizations during the 1990s.
“In its inception, multiple Green Building Councils existed globally, including one in the U.S. that initiated LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification in 1998,” Hasan explained. “To strengthen their credibility and partake more actively in international discussions, these councils unified under WorldGBC.”
At the climate conference COP21 held in Paris in 2015, WorldGBC introduced a program named Advancing Net Zero (ANZ), aimed at reaching carbon neutrality for all new constructions by 2030 and for existing buildings by 2050.
The ANZ framework comprises three primary objectives: optimizing operational energy-related CO2 emissions reduction; generating renewable energy for on-site use as well as procuring it off-site; while also offsetting residual emissions that cannot be minimized further.
To realize its lofty decarbonization ambitions, ANZ offers various certifications alongside tools and support to local Green Building Councils. Nonetheless, there remains no universal agreement on what constitutes decarbonization or how it should practically be accomplished.
“Discussions surrounding this issue are still very much ongoing,” Hasan noted. “For WorldGBC’s perspective, building-related issues pose a challenge; it’s typically easier for them to promote certifications among developers rather than engage with government entities directly. This business-centric approach often promotes incremental improvements rather than leading to substantial shifts within the sector.”
Hasan expresses concern regarding whether such piecemeal strategies will genuinely lessen society’s reliance on fossil fuels going forward.
Decarbonization approaches amidst evolving construction strategies.
A Comprehensive Study Overview
Hasan’s analysis encompasses a review of 110 documents issued by WorldGBC alongside insights gleaned from interviews with 22 key individuals involved in crafting these standards. Her findings unpack a nuanced legitimation strategy characterized by six dominant narratives.
- The first establishes legitimacy for the building sector within global climate governance frameworks;
- The second connects decarbonization with broader sustainable development goals;
- The third reframes decarbonization as a catalyst for market transformation;
- The fourth depicts WorldGBC standards as foundational aspects influencing future public policies;
- The fifth emphasizes responsible investment principles;
- Your sixth narrative ties net-zero buildings into recovery efforts post-pandemic.
“Through my discoveries,” Hasan remarked, “these narratives advocate for gradual changes rather than comprehensive transformations.” She argues that while ANZ sets forth essential guidelines—its impact is somewhat constrained when aligned with larger sustainable development goals that necessitate systemic change.
Cited Mechanisms Limiting Change
Hasan identifies three principal mechanisms inhibiting transformative outcomes via current standards:
- Narrative Structure: The integration of various narratives presents intermittent solutions under an impression they address systemic issues comprehensively;
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