GlobalABC Subnationals Action Group Report
Completed
Focus Area: Buildings
Village of Solomon 2023 Inventory of Community-Wide Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the Nome, AK community
Completed
[24_22] Long Beach, CA 2023 Inventory of Community-wide Emissions
Completed
District energy systems (DES) deliver heating or cooling to customers through a pipe network filled with hot or cold water, circulated by pumps. As the character of the built environment greatly determines project feasibility, consideration of DES in energy and urban planning processes can significantly contribute to achieving the heat load density necessary to ensure network cost effectiveness. Urban planning can also mitigate load uncertainty for DES by enabling phased development that balances generation and demand.
The Local Government implements a set of integrated measures to deploy solar hot water in private buildings and facilities in the community within its jurisdiction. The local government uses its regulatory power as the main leverage to approve or amend a municipal building code that requires (new) buildings to use solar hot water (SHW) systems – Solar Ordinance.
Solar water heaters use solar energy to heat water. In this Solution, the Local Government takes leadership. It acts as a role model for the community by implementing measures to deliver solar hot water (SHW) systems in government buildings and facilities it owns and/or operates.
District cooling is a system in which chilled water (typically at 4 to 7 degree Celsius) is distributed in pipes (usually underground) from a central cooling plant to several buildings for space cooling and process cooling. By replacing individual cooling systems in each building, the district cooling system can deliver economies of scale in terms of capital, energy and maintenance costs.
Construction and land development within a built-up area or existing community, including building on vacant or underutilized spots and reuse of old or blighted sites and buildings. Type of urban intensification (see Urban Planning Vocab – NOTE: being developed)
Architectural designs, construction practices, and technologies help optimize energy and resource use in buildings and provides benefits such as cleaner air, more comfortable homes and workspaces, and lower utility bills [1]. Improving energy efficiency in buildings aligns perfectly with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement by lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
To control the impacts of climate change, governments are promulgating and reviewing regulations in order to achieve energy savings in buildings. One important strategy employed to make these laws and regulations effective is through energy efficiency labeling for buildings. A simple way to provide energy efficiency information, such as labeling, can create greater awareness and lead homeowners, tenants and developers to opt for more efficient buildings, ultimately reducing energy use and emissions.
The use of natural refrigerants in Air-Conditioning Systems, in replacement of currently applied refrigerant fluids such as HCFC and HFC (glossary link), offers a way to increase energy efficiency while contributing to climate mitigation and ozone layer protection. Natural refrigerants include substances such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, propane, and other hydrocarbons.
American Cities Climate Challenge
Active
SDG(s) related to American Cities Climate Challenge
