ZERO CITIES PROJECT
BIG/SMALL BUILDINGS COMPARISON (4 Cities)ENERGY AND EMISSIONS COMPARISON (4 Cities)CITY COMPARISONS(8 Cities)
Cities contain various building typologies that can be categorized by building floor area.
In most cities, there are relatively few BIG buildings and a large number of SMALL buildings*.
In cities, the few BIG buildings and many SMALL buildings are each responsible for a significant portion of city-wide building sector energy consumption.
In cities, the few BIG buildings and many SMALL buildings are each responsible for a significant portion of city-wide building sector GHG emissions.
The fuels used to meet building sector energy needs vary by building typology and climate. However, most buildings use a significant amount of electricity and on-site natural gas.
A variety of fuels are used by utilities to generate electricity. The emissions associated with each fuel, frequency of fuel use, and the efficiency of a power plant all contribute to the emissions intensity of the electricity supply.
Each fuel’s proportion of city-wide building sector emissions can vary dramatically due to the emissions intensity of the electricity supply and on-site fuels.
In all cities studied, a small number of buildings (0.5-4.0% of buildings) represent a large percentage of total building floor area and energy consumption (35%-75% of energy consumption).
The emissions intensity of the electricity grid varies significantly by city.
In all cities studied, a small number of buildings (0.5-4.0%) are responsible for a large percentage of total building sector emissions (35-75% of emissions). Variations between cities depend largely on the emissions intensity of the electricity grid.
Achieving Zero
Reaching a 50-65% carbon emissions reduction in the built environment by 2030, and zero emissions by 2040, is critical if we are to successfully manage climate change. Achieving Zero is a framework and set of tools to help city and sub-national governments (state, provincial, and regional) meet this target.