California adopts statewide Green Building Code

Governor Schwarznegger

California has taken the lead in trying to trim nationwide emissions by introducing a mandatory state-wide 'green building' code.

The Green Building Standards Code, also known as CALGREEN, was unanimously passed by the California Building Standards Commissions and will aim to cut statewide emissions by a third by 2020. It will take effect on January 1, 2011 and will cover all areas of construction, from the materials to their disposal.

The new code states that all new buildings will have to reduce their water usage by 20 percent and recycle 50 percent of their construction waste instead of putting it in landfills.

Any commercial buildings will be forced to have separate water meters for indoor and outdoor water use, whilst inspections of air conditioner, heat and mechanical equipment will be mandatory for all commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet.

The only exception will be hospitals who will not be required to meet the new regulations.

Making California a green state

Currently, only 10 percent of the state's cities have adopted any environmental building regulations but those that have implemented a more stringent green code will be allowed to retain their standards in the face of the new rules.

Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger presented the scheme as the first-in-nation code to fight climate change.

"With this first-in-the nation mandatory green building standards code, California continues to pave the way in energy efficiency and environmental protection.

"Today's action lays the foundation for the move to greener buildings constructed with environmentally advanced building practices that decrease waste, reduce energy use and conserve resources," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

He added that the code will help California to "meet goals of curbing global warming and achieving 33 percent renewable energy by 2020 and promotes the development of more sustainable communities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving energy efficiency in every new home, office building or public structure."

With support from building firms, the LEED certifications they'll be able to get, it is hoped that three million metric tons of emissions will be removed from the air by 2020.

To find out more about CALGREEN, click here.

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