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The built environment is the major source of global demand for energy and materials that produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG). Planning decisions not only affect building energy consumptions and GHG emissions, but transportation energy consumption and water use as well, both of which have large environmental implications.

Architecture 2030 has issued the 2030 Challenge for Planning asking the global architecture and planning community to adopt the following targets:

All new and renovated developments / neighborhoods / towns / cities / regions

• Immediately adopt and implement a 60% reduction standard below the regional average for fossil-fuel operating energy consumption for new and renovated buildings and infrastructure.
  
  The fossil-fuel reduction standard shall be increased to:
  
  • 70% in 2015
  • 80% in 2020
  • 90% in 2025
  • Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel GHG emitting energy to operate or construct).
These targets may be accomplished by implementing innovative sustainable design strategies, generating on-site renewable power and/or purchasing renewable energy (20% maximum).


• Immediately adopt and implement a 50% reduction standard below the regional average for:
  • CO2 from auto and freight
  • water consumption



All existing developments / neighborhoods / towns / cities / regions

• Adopt and implement a 10% reduction standard below the regional average for:
  • fossil-fuel operating energy consumption of existing buildings
  • CO2 from auto and freight
  • water consumption


• The reduction standard shall be increased to:
  • 20% in 2015
  • 30% in 2020
  • 35% in 2025
  • 50% in 2030