Greenhouse Gas Analysis
To address climate change in California, Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) requires the state to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by 2020. AB 32 required the California Air Resources Board to adopt regulations to achieve all GHG emission reductions that are technologically feasible and cost-effective. AB 32 is wide in scope and addresses climate change through improving energy efficiency, reducing waste, encouraging cleaner transportation, and expanding the use of renewable resources.
To demonstrate compliance with AB 32, jurisdictions often require projects to show that greenhouse gas limits are not being exceeded. To show compliance, VCA Green catalogs construction and operations associated with GHG emissions, documents all mitigation measures, and utilizes CalEEMod to calculate total impact. VCA Green then supplies the project team with an evaluation report showing compliance to the authority having jurisdiction.
VCA Green’s report shows impacts of:
- GHG emissions associated with construction of proposed building, including vehicular trips, construction equipment usage, and transportation of materials.
- GHG emissions associated with operations of proposed buildings, including electricity, natural gas, water for interior usage, and landscape irrigation. Credits taken through LEED and other voluntary programs can help. Energy savings above Title 24 help as well.
- Solid waste produced by occupants.
- Vehicular traffic during operation of residents, employees, and visitors.
- Location of the project. Locating projects in city centers can sharply reduce vehicular carbon emissions.
VCA Green provides GHG reports for projects of all sizes and types. We use our knowledge of code and green building principles to identify GHG savings at all levels of construction and operation. When sound construction practices are not enough to show savings, we advise project team on cost-effective mitigation solutions.