San Francisco to highly reduce buildings environmental impact

San Francisco is ready to make significant modifications in order to reduce its buildings environmental impact.

Officials wish to oblige owners of large commercial buildings (bigger than 4600m²) to utilize 100% renewable energy by 2030. The code's adjustments will be implemented in three phases. At first, structures that are more than 46,500m² must use 100% renewable electricity by 2022. Buildings which range between 23,250m² and 46,400m² and those than are larger than 4600m² must switch to renewable energy by 2014 and 2030, respectively.

"To end our reliance on fossil fuels and protect our environment, we have to continue to push aggressive sustainability policies, like requiring 100% renewable electricity in our commercial buildings. In San Francisco we are proud that we have shown that you can have a thriving economy and growing city while still successfully reducing emissions and fighting climate change." London Breed, mayor of the City and County of San Francisco, stated.

The plan is part of a larger project which aims at making the city carbon neutral by 2050. San Francisco is making a large attempt to become an eco-friendly city. Despite the fact that its population and economy is constantly growing, greenhouse gas emissions have been reduced by 36% from their levels in 1990 (an amount that is equivalent to withdrawing 400,000 cars off the streets). Currently, 44% of greenhouse gas emissions in the city derive from buildings while 46% from the means of transportation.

Despite all the efforts that are made in U.S. and all over the world to mitigate industries' dependence on fossil fuels, the consumption of oil and gas is still growing at a rate of 4% annually, according to recent data. Every city or community should start taking initiatives to address the issue. "The action we need globally is being led locally. By establishing this mandate for commercial buildings, Mayor Breed is translating the city's ambitions into measurable action. This is a major down payment on the city's goal to be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030, and it's a concrete step to getting there," Van Horn, director of Sierra's Club, an environmental organization in the United States, stated.