Buildings and Energy

Energy, the Built Environment, and Climate Change

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, "the buildings and construction sector is by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases" largely because of the materials used in the construction process. Modifying the energy system utilized within the built environment, through energy efficiency efforts, as well as efforts to source energy from renewable sources can greatly improve the greenhouse gas emissions of a building over its lifetime, while providing economic and health benefits for the building's owner and occupants

Adapting these system can provide human health benefits by improving indoor and outdoor air quality and ensuring that the built environment and energy system is more resilient to powerful weather events, increased heat, and additional impacts of climate change.

The issues of energy, buildings, and infrastructure offer the Greater Cincinnati region a wonderful opportunity to act on climate change and environmental degradation while bringing economic, environmental, and social benefits to people living and working in the region.

How Can Regional Building and Energy Use Be More Environmentally and Socially Beneficial?

In the context of climate change, current construction practices, and regional housing and building needs, some methods to increase energy and building system environmental and human benefits could include...

• Provide some examples of policies that could make this system more resilient and sustainable (to further contextualize scope of category and range of potential solutions)
• Modifying building codes to prompt the use of more environment and climate-friendly materials.
• Addressing inequity and environmental justice in infrastructure development programs.
• Incentivizing installation of green roofs.
• Developing a tax abatement program to empower commercial and residential energy efficiency improvements.
• And MUCH MORE! Share your ideas in the "Share YOUR Idease Here" project phase.

The Greater Cincinnati 2030 District

As part of a national network of "2030 Districts", the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District, also a program of Green Umbrella, works to create a network of healthy, high-performing buildings across the Greater Cincinnati region by partnering directly with members to breakdown market barriers, encourage collaboration, and assist in the deployment of sustainability solutions. Currently, 50 local members have committed more than 28 million square feet to the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District.

These members commit to reducing their buildings' energy use, water consumption, and transportation commuting emissions by 50% by the year 2030.

To learn more, or even become a member, community partner, or professional partner, visit the Greater Cincinnati 2030 District website!