Net Zero Denver 2030
Denver’s Net Zero Energy New Buildings and Homes Implementation Plan was released by the Denver’s Office of Climate Action, Sustainability, and Resiliency (CASR) in January 2021. This plan outline’s Denver’s goal of achieving Net Zero Energy for all new buildings by 2030.
Net Zero Energy (NZE) is defined as a building that is powered completely using on site or off-site renewable energy. Denver’s NZE buildings must be highly energy efficient, all-electric, powered by renewable energy, and providers of demand flexibility for the grid. The plan would incorporate NZE all-electric homes in Denver’s 2024 Building Code, NZE all-electric buildings in the 2027 code, and new buildings with performance verification in the 2030 code.
According to the report, buildings and homes make up 64% of Denver’s greenhouse gas emissions, making them a crucial component of tackling climate change locally. Furthermore, it is predicted that by 2050, 40% of Denver’s buildings will be “new”, meaning 40% of Denver’s buildings in 2050 will have been built between 2020-2050. It is clear that these new initiatives will help curtail greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to a cleaner, more resilient future for Denver.
The goals described in this plan will eventually go through the Denver Code adoption process and will ultimately be incorporated into the city’s Building and Fire Code.
What do you think of Denver’s new plan?
Read it in full here: https://www.denvergov.org/files/assets/public/climate-action/documents/denver-nze-implementation-plan_final_v1.pdf
CGBG is also gathering feedback from our community with the intention of sharing it with local municipalities to help inform and drive change. Feel free to submit this anonymous form with your thoughts: