New technologies for sustainable management of greenhouses

Inkoa Engineering Systems will lead the European Ecolture project, within the remit of the first Call by the European Commission in the Eco-Innovation programme, the aim of which is to introduce new eco-efficient technologies for intensive crop farming.

Today, intensive farming is projected as the most viable solution to the high demand for food and the exigencies of the consumer for high quality and safe products. Nevertheless, intensive farming has brought with it important environmental impacts which has obliged various government bodies to set out legal limits aimed at reducing these negative effects.

Green parking helps environment friendly study

EPA’s New green parking lot allows scientists to study permeable surfaces that may help the environment

Paved parking lots and driveways make our lives easier, but they often create an easy pathway for pollutants to reach underground water sources and alter the natural flow of water back into the ground. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced a study that will investigate ways to reduce pollution that can run off paved surfaces and improve how water filters back into the ground.

EPA is testing a variety of different permeable pavement materials and rain gardens in the parking lot at the agency's Edison, N.J. facility, which houses offices and its laboratory. Most major sources of pollution going into our waterways are well-controlled, but pollution runoff from hard surfaces remains a complicated problem.

"Runoff from parking lots and driveways is a significant source of water pollution in the United States and puts undo stress on our water infrastructure, especially in densely-populated urban areas," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator George Pavlou.

"By evaluating different designs and materials, this study will help us develop strategies to lessen the environmental impacts of parking lots across the country and make our communities more sustainable."

This summer, EPA replaced a 43,000-square-foot section of the parking lot at its Edison facility with three different types of permeable pavement and planted several rain gardens with varying vegetation for the study. Over the next decade, EPA will evaluate the effectiveness of each pavement type and the rain gardens in removing pollutants from storm water, and how they help water filter back into the ground. The parking lot will be functional during the study to accurately evaluate how the different types of pavement handle traffic and vehicle-related pollution like leaking oil.

Storm water runoff is generated when precipitation from rain and snow flows over land or impervious surfaces, like parking lots or rooftops, and does not readily flow back into the ground. As the runoff flows over the land or impervious surfaces, it accumulates debris, chemicals, sediment or other pollutants that could adversely affect water quality if the runoff discharged is not properly treated.

This study is part of an effort by EPA's National Risk Management Research Laboratory to evaluate permeable pavement as it relates to storm water management practices on a national scale. While the installation of permeable pavement systems has become more prevalent, there is a lack of full-scale, outdoor, real-world permeable pavement research projects.

EPA also recognises the potential of rain gardens as a green infrastructure management tool to lessen the effects of peak flows on aquatic resources. While local governments and homeowners are building many of these systems, relatively few studies have quantified the ability of rain gardens to allow the ground to better absorb and filter storm water, which reduces peak flows.

Setting sail in an ecological 'Earthship'

Could sustainable architecture address pollution, climate change and resource depletion by helping us build self-sufficient, off-grid, housing from "waste", including vehicle tires and metal drinks containers? That's the question researchers at the University of South Australia hope to answer in the International Journal of Sustainable Design.

Martin Freney of the department of Art, Architecture and Design has taken a critical look at the work of architect, Michael Reynolds of Taos, New Mexico, USA, who has experimented with radical house designs, and construction techniques over the past three and half decades. Reynolds designs incorporate passive heating and cooling, water catchment and sewage treatment, renewable energy, and even food production. These houses, which Reynolds calls "Earthships" are essentially independent of external utilities and waste disposal. On the face of it, they offer, an environmentally benign approach to housing.

A common method of responding to unsustainable housing is to design an energy-efficient home using "natural building" methods, Freney points out. He adds that Reynolds has already demonstrated that essentially free building materials resulted in greater financial independence for the owner-occupiers of his houses and when he added off-the-grid power and water systems he found that it was possible to reduce his utilities bills to practically zero.

Freney, while enthusiastic about the potential of Reynolds' approach is also more realistic about the actual sustainability of Earthships that are off the utility grids.
After all, he says, to a certain degree, Earthships are still locked into potentially unsustainable systems because they rely on a technological society for the production of the vehicle tires and aluminum can bricks from which they are constructed and the high-tech components such as solar panels, electronics, pumps, tanks, glass and cement that allow them to go off-grid.

Freney, however, has studied the approach in more detail and suggests that the design of the Earthship could allow precious resources to be used more efficiently, effectively and durably than is possible with conventional housing. They could, he argues, "provide shelter for many decades, possibly even centuries, regardless of what happens to the infrastructure that is essential to the operation of a typical home in the developed world."

Further research is now needed to investigate thoroughly all aspects of sustainable architecture but the early indicators suggest that the Earthship model could be entirely viable "Earthship owners start to appreciate relief from financial stresses and from knowing that they have acted to address environmental problems," concludes Freney.

University alliance leads to green data centre initiative

The University of Melbourne, Monash University and RMIT University have announced an innovative collaboration with Fujitsu Australia to develop a shared data centre that will make a significant contribution to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

The data centre, to be built in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs, will cut energy use through improved data centre design and the shared use of the latest energy efficient technology. Greenhouse gas emissions from the ICT sector are forecast to increase from 2 per cent in 2009 to 6 per cent by 2020 as a proportion of global total emissions, according to Fujitsu’s research report 'Green ICT: The State of the Nation'.

The facility will serve some 200,000 students and staff - a population greater than that of Ballarat and Bendigo combined.

RMIT Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, said: "The collaboration between the three universities is an Australian first and will deliver data centre capacity at a lower cost than could be achieved independently, while securing greater flexibility and setting high standards for sustainability."

Monash Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Edwina Cornish, said work on the 10-year project would start later this month. "We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. The universities’ decision to partner with Fujitsu was influenced by its demonstrated innovation in sustainability and its long-term commitment to developing sustainable data centre environments."

In 2008, Fujitsu was rated a world leader in the "Assessment of Global Low-Carbon and Environmental Leadership in the ICT Sector" by Gartner and the WWF (Worldwide Fund for Nature).

University of Melbourne Provost, Professor John Dewar, said the shared data centre was a win-win situation for the universities and the environment. "Our commercial, technical and legal teams have worked closely together to achieve this outcome, which brings considerable savings, the opportunity to increase data centre capacity in a more flexible and rapid way as demand increases, as well as substantial energy efficiency and sustainability," he said.

CEO, Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand, Rod Vawdrey, said: "We will keep raising the bar in terms of innovation, sustainable design, availability standards and performance of our facilities."

The first stage of the data centre will be available in late September for set-up and the universities will move in by January 2010. Expansion of this facility will be commissioned in 2011. Expected rising demand will be met by an increase of 100 square metres of space per year.

Green roofs may help put lid on global warming

"Green" roofs, those increasingly popular urban rooftops covered with plants, could help fight global warming, scientists in Michigan are reporting. The scientists found that replacing traditional roofing materials in an urban area the size of Detroit, with a population of about one-million, with green would be equivalent to eliminating a year's worth of carbon dioxide emitted by 10,000 mid-sized SUVs and trucks. Their study, the first of its kind to examine the ability of green roofs to sequester carbon which may impact climate change, is scheduled for the Oct. 1 issue of ACS' Environmental Science & Technology, a semi-monthly journal.

Kristin Getter and colleagues point out in the new study that green roofs are multi-functional. They reduce heating and air conditioning costs, for instance, and retain and detain stormwater. Researchers knew that green roofs also absorb carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, but nobody had measured the impact until now.

The scientists measured carbon levels in plant and soil samples collected from 13 green roofs in Michigan and Maryland over a two-year period. They found that green roofing an urban area of about one million people would capture more than 55,000 tons of carbon, the scientists say. That's an amount "similar to removing more than 10,000 mid-sized SUV or trucks off the road a year," the article notes.

U.S. environmental-compliance construction poised to increase

Construction spending on environmental-compliance projects for U.S. coal-fired generators has slowed in recent years, but is poised to increase in 2010 and beyond, according to Britt Burt, Industrial Info Resources Vice President of Research - Power Industry.

"Environmental-compliance spending has been a little slow recently. I'd say the glass is half-full now, and I'm very optimistic that it will be filling over the next two to three years," Burt said in an interview. Some forecasters predict environmental compliance spending could hit USD6 billion annually, he said.

The construction slowdown is largely attributable to regulatory uncertainty following last year's federal court ruling that vacated two environmental rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In vacating the Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) and the agency's Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), the court instructed the EPA to toughen the agency's proposed regulatory standards, Burt said.

The EPA proposed CAIR and CAMR in 2005. As originally proposed, CAIR required 28 eastern and Midwestern states and the District of Columbia to reduce sulfur-dioxide and nitrogen-oxide emissions by 70 per cent.



The CAMR, as originally proposed, would reduce aggregate mercury emissions from new and existing coal-fired power plants to 38 tons in the first phase, while in the second phase, aggregate emissions would be lowered to 18 tons by 2018, according to the EPA. The federal court that vacated CAIR allowed the rule to remain in place while the EPA developed a replacement.

The agency is expected to issue revised, tougher CAIR and CAMR standards during the next 12 to 24 months, Burt said. But in the meantime, states could enact emissions standards independently of the federal government. Several states have attached environmental emissions projects to applications to build new power plants, he noted.

A total of USD10.6 billion was spent on environmental-compliance construction at U.S. power plants in projects that started from 2006 through 2008, according to Industrial Info's data. An additional USD17 billion of projects is slated to begin in the 2009-14 period. The data covers projects at power plants that control emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and/or mercury. Most of this spending is for retrofit construction projects, Burt said.

Flue-gas desulfurisation devices (scrubbers), which capture a power plant's sulfur-dioxide emissions, account for the lion's share of projected environmental-remediation construction spending in the 2010-14 period, according to Industrial Info's data. Projects that involve sulfur-dioxide emissions controls account for about 70 per cent of estimated project spending.

Projects controlling nitrogen-oxide emissions account for 23 per cent of projected construction spending, while mercury-control projects, which are far less capital-intensive that SO2 and NOx projects, account for 7 per cent of environmental compliance spending in 2010-14.

A typical new 500-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power generator would cost about USD750 million to construct, Burt estimated. Of this sum, about USD80 million would be spent on flue-gas desulfurisation, USD35 million on selective catalytic reduction technology to reduce NOx emissions, and another USD5 million on mercury controls.

Retrofitting these technologies onto existing coal-fired generators would cost significantly more – perhaps double the comparable greenfield costs – because of site constraints and the need to construct the project using the available land, Burt observed.

Environmental-compliance spending for coal-fired power plants would be more robust, but environmental groups like the Sierra Club have aggressively opposed construction of new coal-fired generators in recent years, Burt said.

The Sierra Club claims credit for killing more than 100 new coal-fired generators during the last two or three years, he noted, adding that some of these projects were greenfield construction of new power plants, while others represented the addition of a new generating unit at an existing power plant.

All new coal-fired generators will need compliance-control projects to control emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and mercury, Burt said. "Power plant operators won't install this equipment unless they are required to do it," he said. Although all signs point to an uptick in environmental-compliance spending, further delays in issuing new EPA rules could cause some projects to be delayed.

Continued success by the Sierra Club and other environmental groups in targeting new coal-fired generators could also reduce future spending on power plant environmental compliance. Coal-fired generation construction activity has fallen about 18 per cent in the past two years. U.S. generators had proposed beginning construction activities on about 70,000 MW of new coal-fired capacity from 2008 through 2012, but this number has fallen to 57,000 MW in 2010-14, according to Industrial Info's database.

A significant portion of proposed construction activity has been shifted to renewables, natural gas, and nuclear power since Industrial Info conducted a construction activity survey in September 2007.

National Green Schools Campaign to ignite change

As school doors across the nation open for the new school year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is set to launch year three of its National Green Schools Campaign, a broad-based initiative involving policy makers, teachers, parents and students who want to substantially improve the indoor environmental quality of America’s schools, along with making them more energy efficient, water efficient and resource efficient.

On September 8, USGBC and 11 educational and environmental groups kicked off the Coalition for Green Schools at a meeting featuring remarks by Martha Kanter, Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, about the multiple, but critically important pathways for greening America’s schools.

This first ever alliance between the nation’s leading educational and environmental organisations brings together the country’s strongest advocates for healthy, safe and sustainable K-12 learning environments prized for their contribution to higher test scores among students, higher retention among teachers and lower absenteeism rates for both groups because of improved indoor air quality.

On the heels of the Coalition event, Adobe Systems announced its support of the Mayors’ Alliance for Green Schools by funding renovation and repair projects for three schools identified by the Alliance in three U.S. cities including Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. The Alliance, initiated in October 2008 by Mayor Martin Diaz of Miami and Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle in partnership with USGBC, is a coalition of mayors across the country looking to promote the benefits of green schools in their communities.

Later in September, USGBC will host its 2nd Annual Congressional Advocacy Day, bringing more than 100 advocates from USGBC Chapters to Washington, to call on their Congressional Representatives about the importance of green schools, and to thank them for their support of the stimulus funding that is helping make the renovation and repair of many schools possible. USGBC has also begun year two of its 50 for 50 Initiative. 16 have been established so far, with another dozen in formative stages.

Fully twenty per cent of the nation’s population spends their days in a K-12 school, and too many of those schools are substandard by any measure. Green schools cost less money to operate and use substantially less energy and water. Those savings add up and put money back into the classroom. On average, green schools save $100,000 per year, which could pay for two new teachers, buy 100 new computers, or purchase 5,000 new textbooks.

“There is no more important work we have before us than making sure that every one of our children attends a school where the learning environment works for them, not against them” said Rick Fedrizzi, President and CEO, USGBC. “Our National Green Schools Campaign has sought to make this a priority agenda item for school districts, local and state government bodies, and for those who set the national agenda in our schools, who like USGBC, would like to get this done within our generation.”

Fedrizzi noted that there had been significant progress in the past 12 months, including federal, state and local initiatives that have has passed, including the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, funding for green school construction and renovation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the “Making green

USGBC launches national green schools

As school doors across the US open for the new school year, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) is set to launch year three of its National Green Schools Campaign, a broad-based initiative involving policy makers, teachers, parents and students who want to substantially improve the indoor environmental quality of America’s schools, along with making them more energy-efficient, water-efficient and resource-efficient.

On September 8, USGBC and 11 educational and environmental groups kicked off the Coalition for Green Schools at a meeting featuring remarks by Martha Kanter, Under Secretary for the US Department of Education, about the multiple, but critically important pathways for greening America’s schools.



Lily, a 5th-grader at Montgomery County, Md., Public Schools' Great Seneca Creek Elementary School, talks about attending a LEED-Gold school.

This first ever alliance between the nation’s leading educational and environmental organisations brings together the country’s strongest advocates for healthy, safe and sustainable K-12 learning environments prized for their contribution to higher test scores among students, higher retention among teachers and lower absenteeism rates for both groups because of improved indoor air quality.

Later in September, USGBC will host its 2nd Annual Congressional Advocacy Day, bringing more than 100 advocates from USGBC Chapters to Washington, to call on their Congressional Representatives about the importance of green schools, and to thank them for their support of the stimulus funding that is helping make the renovation and repair of many schools possible. USGBC has also begun year two of its 50 for 50 Initiative. 16 have been established so far, with another dozen in formative stages.

Fully twenty per cent of the nation’s population spends their days in a K-12 school, and too many of those schools are substandard by any measure. Green schools cost less money to operate and use substantially less energy and water. Those savings add up and put money back into the classroom. On average, green schools save USD100,000 per year, which could pay for two new teachers, buy 100 new computers, or purchase 5,000 new textbooks.

“There is no more important work we have before us than making sure that every one of our children attends a school where the learning environment works for them, not against them” said Rick Fedrizzi, President and CEO, USGBC. “Our National Green Schools Campaign has sought to make this a priority agenda item for school districts, local and state government bodies, and for those who set the national agenda in our schools, who like USGBC, would like to get this done within our generation.”

Fedrizzi noted that there had been significant progress in the past 12 months, including federal, state and local initiatives that have has passed, including the 21st Century Green High-Performing Public Schools Facilities Act, funding for green school construction and renovation as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, and the “Making green Schools a Reality” Resolution.

USGBC’s LEED for Schools green building certification has helped grow the stock of green schools nationwide, and more than one school a day registers with LEED on average. There are currently more than 185 LEED certified schools and nearly 1,706 more have registered their intent to seek certification.

“However, given that there are some 126,000 schools in America, we clearly have more to do,” Fedrizzi said. “We anticipate that this effort will continue to attract policy makers, parents, student, teachers, and the many groups who see this as a concrete way to care for our children’s future, and save taxpayer dollars in improved long-term operations of these facilities.”

Growing green roofs

This photo shows roof platforms showing different plot depths. The difference in plant growth between the three media depths is visible. Photo: Kristin GetterSedum studied as practical, high-performing roof cover

One way to maximise the eco-friendly factor of a structure is to include a green roof – and this doesn't refer to the paint colour. "Greening" a roof, or covering a roof with vegetation, is gaining popularity in North America, where the number of green roofs increased 30 per cent from 2006 to 2007. Benefits of green roofs include improved storm water management, energy conservation, reduced noise and air pollution, improved biodiversity, and even a better return on investment than traditional roofing.

But a healthy roof requires the selection of a species that can survive extreme climates and propagate easily to reduce erosion and weed growth. Kristin L. Getter of Michigan State University's Department of Horticulture led a study to determine the effect of the growing medium's depth on the success of green roofs. The research study, published in a recent issue of HortScience, focused on Sedum, a variety of succulent known for its drought tolerance.

Plots were constructed using the drainage mats and waterproofing systems typical of green roofs, but the growing material varied in depth from 4 cm, 7 cm, and 10 cm. Twelve species of Sedum were planted, fertilised, and watered once. The moisture of the growing material was measured at random times each week. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence were taken to monitor the health of the plants during a variety of environmental conditions.

Plants were monitored over the course of four years. Since the average lifespan of the inorganic components of a green roof is about 45 years, the researchers determined that it was important to study the longevity of the plants. The study found that the shallowest plot had the lowest moisture levels on average and dried the fastest after a rain. At the 4-cm depth, four species failed to exhibit significant growth over the 4-year period.

Five species showed no or little growth at the 7-cm depth, and six species showed no or little growth at a depth of 10 cm. Some species declined over the 4-year period at the varying depths. The remaining plants that flourished were the same species for all three depths (S. floriferum, S. sexangulare, S. spurium 'John Creech', and S. stefco). The 4-cm depth also included two other species (S. hispanicum and S. reflexum 'Blue Spruce').

Furthermore, the results indicate that, for the surviving and most-abundant species, there is no benefit to depths greater than 7 cm, which would appear to be good news considering shallow depths are more desirable because they make for lighter roof loads. "However, at deeper depths, these plants would likely be healthier, contain greater biomass, and be less susceptible to adverse environmental conditions. This study shows the importance of growing medium depth for plant performance and demonstrates the need for long-term evaluation of species for use in this green practice", concluded the researchers.

Omega's landmark achievement in Green Building

The wood rainscreen acts much like the fly of a tent, shedding most water but remaining open to air movement so the building can "breathe". There is an impermeable layer behind itMore than 300 people gathered in Rhinebeck, New York Thursday for the grand opening of the award-winning Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL), which is slated to be the first certified "Living Building" in America. The OCSL, a state-of-the art water reclamation facility and environmental education center, will clean Omega Institute's wastewater, and provide sustainability education for students, professionals, policymakers, developers, and the 23,000 visitors who attend Omega's programs every year.

"Omega should be commended for their visionary approach to creating what is slated to be the nation's first certified "Living Building" in the Hudson Valley," said Congressman Scott Murphy (NY-20). "The OCSL's ground-breaking technology signals Upstate New York's leadership in both environmental sustainability, and clean-energy technology."

"The OCSL is a dynamic, living and breathing demonstration of how interconnected we all are with the world around us," said Skip Backus, chief executive officer at Omega. "Our goal is to help people reexamine how they relate to the world by showing them what's possible in terms of environmental sustainability and green energy. Omega is very proud to be at the forefront of this movement."

The grand opening celebration included keynote remarks from Omega's leadership and notable speakers, including Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx and president of The Majora Carter Group; Dr. John Todd, founder of John Todd Ecological Design and designer of the Eco-Machine™, a central component of the OCSL; and Tara Sullivan, executive director of the Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission.

"Today Omega has established an historic contribution in sustainability and green energy, which they've brought to the region and to the world," said Tara Sullivan, who presented Omega with a New York State Letter of Commendation from Governor Paterson, designating the OCSL a Quadricentennial Legacy Project, and commemorating the historic day.

"Sustainability means knowing that we should travel this world lightly, and that it isn't ours to simply use or abuse," said Majora Carter. "Today, as we think about developing a green economy, we can see the OCSL as an example of what's possible when each of us takes the initiative and does what we can."

The project, five years in the making, is on target to achieve LEED® Platinum certification, and has been widely recognized as a pioneer in the Living Building Challenge™. The Living Building Challenge requires a building be informed by its eco-region's characteristics; generate all of its own energy with renewable resources; capture and treat all of its water; and operate efficiently, and for maximum beauty.

The OCSL was designed by Kansas City based BNIM Architects, renowned for sustainable design. The OCSL supplies all of its own energy needs and its operation is carbon neutral. The self-sustaining building is heated and cooled using geothermal systems, and utilizes photovoltaic power. It will serve as the heart of Omega's ongoing environmental initiatives and includes a greenhouse, an Eco-Machine, constructed wetlands, and a classroom that will be open year-round to the public.

The core of the center is a 4,500-square-foot greenhouse containing a water filtration system called the Eco-Machine designed by John Tood Ecological Design. This living system uses plants, bacteria, algae, snails, and fungi to recycle Omega's wastewater (approximately 5 million gallons per year) into clean water that is used to restore the aquifer.

"The OCSL is truly a world in miniature – it is rewriting the rules for sustainability," said John Todd, ecological designer and developer of the Eco Machine. "By working to meet the Living Building Challenge, the OCSL pushed the design envelope to allow this building to live in the sacred ecology that connects each of us to one another."

Opening a new window on daylight

Reducing electricity consumption by improving windows

A new approach to windows that could let in more light and cut indoor lighting needs by up to 99 percent in buildings in Tropical regions without losing the cooling effect of shades. Details are reported in the International Journal of Engineering Systems Modelling and Simulation this month.

Lerdlekha Tanachaikhan and colleagues in the School of Environment, Resources and Development, at the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumtani, Thailand, explain that electric lighting is typically responsible for 25 to 40 percent of total electricity consumption in air-conditioned buildings. These figures could be reduced significantly they say if daylighting were used instead.

In Tropical regions, however, daylighting leads to a significant rise in temperature, which has to be countered by air-conditioning if the occupants are to remain cool and comfortable. This in turn consumes about 80percent of the total electricity consumption for the building.

Earlier studies on daylighting in buildings indicate that window designs and positioning are as diverse as buildings themselves and none currently provides a satisfactory answer to saving on the lighting bills without pumping up the air-conditioning.

The team has developed a formula for tropical sky climate conditions that allows them to assess different window configurations for daylighting. The formula takes into account glass type, solar and visible light transmittance and reflectance, shading coefficient and the heat insulation value, U.

The formula shows that for a city, such as Bangkok, the potential for daylighting is high and could cut daytime electric lighting requirements significantly. The team suggests that for more than 95percent of the occupancy period of a typical office building, daylight alone would suffice for lighting with the appropriate window configuration.

This saving would not be reduced significantly even with the use of vertical fins for east-facing windows and horizontal canopies for south-facing windows to reduce heating effects. Daylighting and shading effects can be optimized by following their formula and choosing appropriate windows size and positioning as well as other parameters, such as glazing transmittance.

US-China agreement on building energy efficiency

This apartment building in Beijing, China, is heated and cooled with an energy-efficient geothermal heat pump, the result of a previous agreement between the United States and China. Photo by: Jean Ku

DOE and the Chinese Ministry of Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) signed a joint agreement to foster collaboration in the development of more efficient building designs. Under the agreement, the United States and China will exchange experts who will share their understanding of efficient building technologies, including high-performance heating and cooling, insulation, lighting, cold storage, geothermal heat pumps, building-integrated solar power, and solar thermal systems.

The two nations will also explore the feasibility of developing a shared project in China to demonstrate green buildings, building energy savings, and renewable energy technologies. With this announcement, the United States and China recognise that improving energy efficiency in buildings will benefit both nations, and that by working in tandem, they can accelerate the adoption of new clean energy technologies.

An additional focus of the pact is the development of sustainable communities that rely heavily on the use of renewable energy. Together, the United States and China will conduct analyses of the lessons learned from their combined experience with energy-efficient buildings and communities, examining options for policy incentives or regulatory reform to encourage energy-efficient development in China. The United States will provide support for MOHURD's "eco-cities" initiative, which aims to build integrated green cities that are sustainably designed, use renewable power, and have efficient transportation systems. The partners will also collaborate on developing standards and guidelines for such sustainable cities.

The United States and China also plan to develop the U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center, which will facilitate joint research and development of clean energy technologies by teams of scientists and engineers from both countries. U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Chinese Minister of Science Wan Gang, and Chinese Administrator of National Energy Administration Zhang Guo Bao announced their plans for the joint research centre on July 15. The centre will initially address building energy efficiency, clean vehicles, and clean coal technologies, including carbon capture and storage, and it will also serve as a clearinghouse to help researchers in each country. The United States and China have pledged USD15 million to launch the joint research centre, which will have headquarters in each country. The two countries intend to start operations at the new research centre by year-end.

Up in environmentally friendly homes in the US

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that nearly 17 per cent of all single-family homes built nationally in 2008 earned EPA’s Energy Star label, up from 12 per cent in 2007. Both home builders and home buyers are continuing to invest in high performing homes that save consumers money on their utility bills and help protect the environment.

“Every year more Americans decide to cut their energy bills and help keep the air clean in their communities by buying a new home that has earned EPA's Energy Star. Features like properly installed insulation, high-performance windows and high efficiency heating and cooling can reduce home energy needs by 20 to 30 per cent, saving American families thousands of dollars on their utility bills," said EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson.

“Even in a difficult market, the interest in Energy Star qualified homes keeps rising. We’re helping builders and homebuyers to protect the environment, safeguard our health, and move the country into a low-carbon energy future.”

In addition, market share for Energy Star-qualified homes was 20 per cent or greater in 15 states in 2008, such as Ohio and Okla.

Nearly 940,000 Energy Star-qualified homes have been built to date, with more than 100,000 of these constructed in 2008. In 2008 alone, American families living in such homes locked in annual utility bill savings of more than USD250 million, saving over 1.5 billion kWh of electricity and 155 million therms of natural gas while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of nearly 350,000 cars annually.

To earn the Energy Star label, homes must meet strict guidelines for energy efficiency set by EPA.

Yale Opens Ultra-Green Kroon Hall

Yale University has completed construction of a new ultra-green building-designed to use 50 percent less energy than a comparably sized modern building-for its School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES). Kroon Hall achieves its remarkable energy savings from a host of design elements and technical strategies molded to fit the building's New England weather and climate.

“Yale’s most sustainable building to date reflects the School’s mission and the intellectual passion of its faculty and students,” said Yale President Richard C. Levin. “It is an extraordinary design, and we hope its energy-saving concepts will be emulated widely and inspire others to advance green building even further.”

Designed by Hopkins Architects of Great Britain in partnership with Connecticut-based Centerbrook Architects and Planners, the new $33.5 million home for F&ES is expected to achieve a platinum rating in the green-building certification program, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ).

“More than a decade ago, the School of Forestry and Environmental Studies set out to achieve an unconventional—even audacious—agenda, focused on building social capital, breaking with the past, and speaking to the future of environmentalism,” said F&ES Dean Gus Speth. “We wanted a healthy place to study and work, but also wanted to bridge the gap between nature and people even in the middle of the city. We have achieved that with this very special place. Our thanks go to Deputy Dean Alan Brewster and Professor Stephen Kellert. Their inspired leadership and hard work made possible a new home for the School that expresses in physical form our best traditions, values and aspirations.”

The building, located in the area of the University known as “Science Hill,” is named for the family of benefactor and Yale College alumnus Richard Kroon. Providing 56,467 square feet of space, it is 57 feet wide and 218 feet long. With its high barrel-vaulted gable ends, simple lines, and curved rooftop, Kroon is a modernist blend of cathedral nave and Connecticut barn.

“Kroon Hall is on course to be among the greenest buildings in the United States,” said Hopkins Director Michael Taylor. “True sustainability, however, is about more than improved quantitative performance. We have striven to create a piece of contemporary architecture that belongs in the context of the historic Yale campus. We think it will encourage interaction among its occupants and stand up to several generations of intense use. Using natural materials, such as Briar Hill Stone and red oak from the University’s own sustainably harvested forests, we have tried to create a building that is warm in character, a place where the school will instantly feel at home. Seeing how the faculty, staff, and students have immediately adopted the building is very satisfying.”

The building’s tall, thin shape and east-west orientation provide most of the heating and cooling. The lowest floor is set into a hillside, with only its south side exposed, providing thermal insulation, minimizing northern exposure, and increasing the amount of natural light that enters the building from adjacent courtyards. The long south facade maximizes solar gain during the winter, and Douglas fir louvers covering glass facades on the east and west ends keep out unwanted heat and glare. The building’s shape, combined with the glass facades, enables daylight to provide much of the interior’s illumination. Light and occupancy sensors dim artificial lighting when it is not needed.

Half of Kroon Hall’s red oak paneling—15,000 board feet—came from the 7,840-acre Yale-Myers Forest in northern Connecticut, which is managed by the School and certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. Kroon’s pale yellow exterior, composed of sandstone from Ohio, echoes other Yale buildings.

A 100-kilowatt rooftop array of photovoltaic panels will provide about 25 per cent of the electricity for the building. Four 1,500-foot-deep wells use the relatively constant 55-degree temperature of underground water to heat and cool the building, replacing the need for conventional boilers and air conditioning in the all-electric building. Four solar panels embedded in the southern facade provide the building with hot water. Renewable Energy Certificates will be purchased to provide the additional electricity needed for the building, reducing to zero the greenhouse gas emissions from Kroon Hall's operation. The estimate of Kroon Hall’s energy use compared to a typical modern building is based on standards set by the American Association of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

A rainwater-harvesting system channels water from the roof and grounds to a garden in the south courtyard, where aquatic plants filter out sediment and contaminants. The grey water, held in underground storage tanks, is then pumped back into Kroon for flushing toilets and is used for irrigation. The system is expected to save 500,000 gallons of potable city water annually and to reduce the burden on city sewers by lessening the amount of storm runoff. A single driveway brings all vehicle traffic into a service node beneath the south courtyard, centralizing all pickups for trash and recycling and deliveries for the southwest corner of Science Hill.

The building’s north and south courtyards add greatly to Kroon Hall’s attractive environment for work and study. Centerbrook architect Mark Simon said the courtyards are almost as important as the building itself in creating a community from disparate buildings on Science Hill. “The courtyards are quintessentially Yale,” said Simon. “We wanted to create great outdoor spaces where people want to go. For the first time in a century, people passing through the arch at Osborn Memorial Laboratories have a destination.” The south courtyard is a raised platform, with a green roof of soil one-foot deep. Olin Partnership of Philadelphia landscaped the courtyards with 25 varieties of native plantings.

President Levin directed in 2005 that Yale reduce its greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities by 43 per cent within 15 years. The University is making progress toward its goal through green construction such as Kroon Hall, campus-wide conservation measures, and renewable energy projects.

The Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies is a professional and graduate school that offers master’s degrees in environmental management, environmental science, forestry, and forest science, as well as a doctoral program, and serves as a locus for research on local, regional, and global environmental issues. The school, established in 1901, provides a broad-gauged educational experience that equips its graduates to assume influential roles in government, business, nongovernmental organizations, public and international affairs, journalism, research, and education.

IFAW Headquarters Named Top Green Building

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and its Committee on the Environment selected IFAW’s (the International Fund for Animal Welfare) headquarters building as one of the 2009 top ten examples of sustainable architecture and green design. The award will be given to IFAW and Boston-based designLAB architects at the AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Francisco later this month.

“We are honored to receive AIA’s top ten green award,” said IFAW President Fred O’Regan. “Our international headquarters is a platform for our campaigns around the world. The green design reflects our commitment to protect animals, their habitats and the environment.”

The 2009 COTE Top Ten Green Projects program celebrates projects that are the result of a thoroughly integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology. They make a positive contribution to their communities, improve comfort for building occupants and reduce environmental impacts through strategies such as reuse of existing structures, connection to transit systems, low-impact and regenerative site development, energy and water conservation, use of sustainable or renewable construction materials and design that improves indoor air quality.

“We are delighted to see IFAW recognized for their commitment to a sustainable headquarters,” said designLAB architect Robert Miklos. “It was a pleasure to collaborate with them to invent a special workplace which reflects the personality, mission and purpose of this dynamic organization.”

Other recipients include the Charles Hostler Student Center in Beirut, Lebanon, Chartwell in Seaside, CA, Gish Apartments in San Jose, CA, Great River Energy Corporate Headquarters in Maple Grove, MN, Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston, IL, Portola Valley Town Center, in Portola Valley, CA, Shangri LA Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Orange, Texas, Synergy at Dockside Green in Victoria, BC and The Terry Thomas, Seattle WA.

designLAB architects and IFAW’s headquarters received additional awards including the AIA award for interior architecture and three additional awards from the Boston Society of Architects including an honor award for design, an interior architecture award and a sustainability award.

IFAW’s LEED Gold-certified headquarters encompasses 54,000 square-feet of space in three connected buildings. The project accomplishes its goals through a pragmatic low-cost, low-tech approach to sustainability based on fundamentals and common sense. The site landscape draws from the 18th-century Bartlett farm in nearby Barnstable as a model of landscape preservation. The resulting layout is in the tradition of rural Cape Cod development; a half-acre courtyard of native grasses, open to the south, centers the building complex, whose flexible architecture is located at the north, east and west edges of the site.

Leading global corporations announce 50 million tons of emissions reductions

WASHINGTON, DC, March 27, 2009 (WWF): Some of the world’s leading companies and most recognizable brands gathered on Capitol Hill in Washington today to announce that cutting greenhouse emissions makes business sense.

The companies, all partners in WWF’s Climate Savers Program, announced an estimated 50 million tons of voluntary emissions reductions by 2010 since the program’s inception in 1999.

The independently estimated reductions are equivalent to the annual emissions of Switzerland.

Companies in the WWF Climate Savers Programme include The Coca-Cola Company, Catalyst, The Collins Companies, Elopak, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Hewlett-Packard, Lafarge, Johnson & Johnson, JohnsonDiversey, Nike, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Novo Nordisk, Polaroid, Sagawa Express, Sofidel Group, Sony, Spitsbergen Travel, Tetra Pak, Xanterra Parks and Resorts.

Senior executives from a dozen of the companies will tell attendees of a Capitol Hill briefing hosted by the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee that climate protection and profitability can go hand-in-hand. While the businesses’ reductions are impactful, the current climate emergency also demands the implementation of comprehensive climate policies at both national and international levels .

"These 21 Climate Savers companies have proven that greenhouse gas reductions and strong economic performance are not an either/or proposition,” said WWF-US President Carter Roberts.

“This is a critical moment to communicate this message to policymakers because voluntary action will not be enough to achieve the carbon dioxide reductions needed to protect the planet from the ravages of climate change. A global challenge like this calls for both domestic legislation and a strong international treaty.”

“Environmental protection and sustainable business performance are inextricably linked,” said Muhtar Kent, President and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “Governments, NGOs and businesses have unique roles, but we must work more closely together to address climate change. A key part of our role is to drive the Coca-Cola system to achieve and surpass the targets we have established in partnership with WWF and Climate Savers."

WWF works closely with Climate Savers companies to develop action plans to achieve aggressive emission reduction targets. Overall, the companies say these efforts are resulting in greater operational efficiency and significant cost reductions.

As Climate Savers marking its 10-year anniversary, some member companies, such as Lafarge, and Johnson & Johnson are currently surpassing their targets. WWF also announced that Fairmont Hotels & Resorts and Elopak would become the newest members, with both companies setting ambitious emissions targets:

* Fairmont Hotels & Resorts signed an agreement with WWF to cut its emissions by 20 percent below its 2006 levels by 2013.
* Elopak, a leading beverage packaging company with customers in 100 countries, will reduce CO2 emissions 15% from 2008 levels by 2011.

As an additional effort, WWF officials said it will organize a contingent of Climate Savers companies to attend upcoming international climate talks in Copenhagen in support of a treaty.

Many Climate Savers companies have previously offered public support for a declaration calling for action to limit the global average temperature increase to a maximum of 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels, and have affirmed an Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change report’s conclusion that global emissions must be reduced to half of 2000 levels by the middle of the 21st century. The companies also declared that they would widen the scope of reduction activities by partnering with other businesses and champion best practice by sharing their methods with more sectors and in more regions around the world.

Ecofys has been the verifier for various emission inventories of WWF Climate Savers companies.

Kilimanjaro Climb to Raise Climate Change Awareness

Youth from impoverished urban areas in Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana will join a climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise awareness on climate change.

The climb, which kicks off on 28 February, is the fourth annual ascent to "rooftop of Africa" organised by the Kilimanjaro Initiative, a Nairobi-based Non-Governmental Organisation, in partnership with the United Nations. This year, ten underprivileged youth will join 25 other people from the private and public sectors in a group led by Timothy Challen, the founder of the Kilimanjaro Initiative.

Timothy Challen founded the Kilimanjaro Initiative in 2005 after he was shot during an armed robbery in Nairobi, Kenya. Following extensive surgery and a long period of recovery back home in Switzerland, Tim returned to East Africa with a desire to help create a safer urban environment.

This year, the aim of the climb is to raise awareness on the dangers linked to climate change by highlighting the need to protect our environment and the importance of providing greener, safer and better communities for all. Upon reaching the summit under the banner of the UN's global UNite to Combat Climate Change campaign, participants will use a satellite telephone to call UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.

Rising temperatures, increased precipitation and extreme weather conditions will have a direct impact on where and how people live. Not only will the economic and public infrastructures of communities be affected, but urban centres may also be dangerously stretched in order to accommodate displaced populations. Consequently, social ills such as unemployment, lack of educational facilities, inadequate health care systems and criminal activities may increase in urban centres.

On 25 February 2009, the Kilimanjaro Initiative officially began its operations as a Kenyan-based International NGO with the support of an international network of committed partners including UN entities such as the UN Federal Credit Union (UNFCU), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT) and the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace (UNOSDP) as well as civil society organisations including the NGO 'Play Soccer'.

Since 2006 the Kilimanjaro Initiative has brought close to 100 people to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, including young people, athletes, musicians and members of the private and public sectors. The Initiative's main objective is to encourage young people to have self-belief and to assist in providing opportunities that will enable them to take on a constructive role in their communities. The climb of Mount Kilimanjaro exemplifies how sport can be used as a tool towards the development of a community. The mountain reminds participants that in order to overcome adversity they must understand their environment, unite as a team and persevere.

Wangari Maathai Calls On Armies to Join the Billion Tree Campaign

The world's armies and UN peacekeepers around the globe should join the Billion Tree Campaign as it strives to reach its target of seven billion trees planted by the end of 2009, according to Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai.

Speaking during the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)'s Governing Council meeting, Wangari Maathai, who is the co-patron of the Billion Tree Campaign, appealed to Heads of State around the world.

"Imagine all soldiers marching for the planet," the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate said.

"While the armies of the world are waiting to fight an enemy that comes with a gun, we have another enemy, an unseen enemy, an enemy that is destroying our environment," she added. "The enemy that takes away our topsoil, takes away our waters, destroys our forests, destroys the air we breathe, clears the forest."

"This is the unseen enemy and it cannot be fought with a gun. This enemy can be fought with a tree," Wangari Maathai said. "So you can imagine how wonderful it would be if every soldier on this planet started seeing himself and herself as a soldier for the planet. Holding a gun on one side and a tree seedling on the other, to fight this unseen enemy which is actually more dangerous to us than the other enemy."

Her words come as a growing number of governments, communities and people around the world join the Billion Tree Campaign. The campaign, which is under the patronage of Wangari Maathai and His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, has now catalysed the planting of 2.6 billion trees in 165 countries around the world, far exceeding its original target.

On 22 February, Peruvian President Alan Garcia Perez personally planted the 40 millionth tree in Lima, concluding the country's National Tree Campaign of Afforestation and Reforestation. Peru plans to plant another 60 million trees by 2010.

So far, the roll of honour of the countries where the biggest number of trees has been planted is headed by Ethiopia (700 million trees), Mexico (470 million trees) and Turkey (400 million trees).

Search on for Environmentally Sensitive Projects

Energy efficiency, natural resource management & use of sustainable products key criteria for Middle East Real Estate Awards

The search is on for unique projects and developments that contribute not only towards architectural excellence and but remain sensitive to the environment for this year's Middle East Real Estate Awards, the organisers of Cityscape Abu Dhabi have announced.

The awards will be presented at a dinner attended by over 500 industry leaders on 19 April 2009 during Cityscape Abu Dhabi, the international real estate and investment development event, with the deadline for submission of entries set at 19 March 2009.

"The judges are looking for projects that demonstrate innovative design and development concepts combined with architectural excellence and functionality," said a statement from Mark Goodchild, Exhibition Director for Cityscape Abu Dhabi and the Middle East Real Estate Awards. "As well as quality of design, construction and visual appeal, the judges are looking for compatibility with neighbouring land uses and sensitivity to environmental issues," Goodchild added.

Cityscape Abu Dhabi, takes place from 19-22 April at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, and will bring together international and regional investors, developers, architects, government authorities, regulators and professional bodies to discuss market challenges.

The awards cover six categories with entries in some cases separated into projects already complete of future projects.

There will be a Best Sustainable Development Award where judges will be looking in particular for innovative use of new materials, products or construction methods which deliver energy efficient, high performing green buildings. The judges will also be making an award for a world class and distinctive Waterfront Development which shows sensitivity and maximises water as a resource.

There will be a Commercial and Retail Project Award where developments will need to show world class standards of design, safety, security, energy efficiency and innovation. Similar criteria will apply to a Residential Project Award.

A Mixed Use Project Award seeks a development with a strong design, sensitivity to the surrounding environment and urban community as well as showing flair and intelligence in relation to the present and future needs of the community.

The Best Urban Design and Master Planning Award will go to an outstanding project which best encourages or promotes a sense of place or significantly benefits an entire neighbourhood, town, city or region.

28 Million Scouts to Mobilise for Earth Hour

The Scouts, the world's largest youth movement with more than 28 million members in 160 countries, lead thousands of community groups around the world mobilising their supporters for Earth Hour, the global expression of a desire for serious and sustained action on climate change.

“It is possible for everyone to take action against global warming," said Luc Panissod, Acting Secretary General of the World Organisation of the Scout Movement, and James Leape, Director General of WWF International, in a joint letter to Scouting's global network earlier this month.

What was described as "an opportunity to talk to your neighbours about the environment and climate change" is the latest expression of a partnership between the Scouts and WWF that goes back decades.

"We see that Scouts all over the world have a great interest in the environment and are leaders in their community," said Luc Panissod. "Earth Hour offers an opportunity for Scouts to demonstrate this commitment to tackling climate change and engage with their family and friends."

"The young are vitally concerned with the future and many are well aware that climate change is the greatest threat to the planet’s future. We are delighted that the Scouts are again working with us to secure the environment for generations to come," said James Leape.

With more than 681 cities in 76 countries already signed up to turn their lights out on March 28, Earth Hour 2009 is shaping up as one of the greatest voluntary actions the world has ever seen.

Executive Director of Earth Hour, Andy Ridley, said community groups are playing a vital role in getting more and more people from around the world engaged in the lights out campaign.

“Earth Hour is driven by citizens and grassroots groups thinking globally and acting locally. No matter how big or small your organisation, I urge you to get involved in Earth Hour and really make a difference in your community and in the world,” Ridley said.

Among other community groups working to ensure the largest possible participation in Earth Hour is the Church of Sweden, which will ring its bells across the country to signal the start of Earth Hour at 8.30pm on March 28.

Sydney Ferries, which has been an enthusiastic supporter of Earth Hour since 2007, will this year be sounding the horns of all its ferries operating on Sydney Harbour, heralding Earth Hour in the city where the campaign first began.

In the United States the National Education Association, representing 3.2 million teachers and education professionals, has also pledged its support for Earth Hour, as has the 1.4 million-strong American Federation of Teachers.