Innovation Over Resistance

Innovation Over Resistance
8:00

As the economy and the built environment decarbonizes, let’s make sure we’re on the right side of the issues.

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Earlier this week, the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) announced its decision to join a coalition that is taking legal action against gas bans in Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, Maryland. According to their press release, NAHB claims that "this legal action is necessary to protect the right of customers to choose the affordable, reliable energy sources that meet their needs and budget."

The announcement further argues that the coalition’s lawsuits are aimed at ensuring local governments take into account the broader impacts of these policies on their communities. The NAHB asserts that the bans would harm housing affordability, eliminate consumer choice, and place additional stress on the already fragile U.S. electric grid.

At first glance, the NAHB's argument appears reasonable; however, a closer look reveals significant flaws. The argument sidesteps crucial considerations such as the health of homeowners, the environment, and the mounting urgency of climate change. 

NAHB’s stance mirrors its broader resistance to updating energy codes, with the organization spending exorbitant amounts of money lobbying to roll back progressive energy standards nationwide.

It’s a short-sighted stance. One that unequivocally favors short-term profits over sustainability. Rather than embracing the inevitable decarbonization of the built environment in a manner that would facilitate innovation and enhanced market competitiveness for climate solutions, NAHB has chosen to play the short game, pressuring municipalities and preventing them from making their own decisions about setting zero carbon goals that ultimately benefit their communities by protecting their people and ecosystems, bolstering their economies, reducing climate risk, and enhancing resiliency.

The Flip Side

On the same day, I read another announcement about the City of Vancouver, Canada, which is revising its building bylaws to require that newly constructed buildings reduce embodied carbon by 10% in 2025 and 40% by 2030. 

Embodied carbon—emissions from the entire lifecycle of building materials, from extraction to disposal—makes up a significant portion of a building's total carbon footprint. Vancouver’s new requirements are part of a forward-thinking policy shift that aims to lower emissions in construction, a key sector contributing to climate change.

According to the city's regulations, builders must submit a comprehensive embodied carbon design report with supporting documentation when applying for construction permits. This proactive step will push the construction industry toward cleaner, greener practices and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.

Old Dog, New Tricks

Also on the same day, I read that U.S. Steel has become the first steelmaking company to achieve the ResponsibleSteel Certification.  

Seeing the writing on the wall (and responding to government mandates), U.S. Steel certified their facility in Osceola, Arkansas, making it the first in the world to pass the comprehensive ResponsibleSteel certification requirements.

According to the company, “This milestone reflects the company's commitment to integrating sustainable practices in steel production, including environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards across its operations … and signifies the initial stage of achieving full transparency and near-zero emissions throughout the steel supply chain.”

Decarbonizing the steel sector is particularly important since it is one of the most consumptive industries in our entire economy, pumping out nearly 7% of annual global carbon emissions and guzzling approximately 8% of total global energy.

According to the World Steel Association, buildings and infrastructure are the top users of steel, comprising about 55% of total demand.  The automotive industry is a distant second, weighing in at about 12%.

Fortunately, advances in processing technology called electric arc furnaces (EAFs) are enabling the steel industry to reach the high temperatures needed using renewable energy rather than fossil fuels, thereby reducing the carbon emissions.  

The use of such technologies reflects a growing recognition that the future of heavy industry must align with global climate goals, and that even industries long reliant on fossil fuels are recognizing the need for change and embracing sustainable alternatives. While there is still a long road ahead for the steel sector, the industry is clearly responding to both regulatory pressure and market demand for more sustainable products.

Priorities Collide

The actions taken by the NAHB to challenge gas bans highlight a reluctance to embrace the inevitable transition toward decarbonization, prioritizing short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability. 

Not doubt, affordability is of paramount importance and a top concern for many homebuyers.  However, a sole focus on profitability fails to account for the broader impacts on the environment, public health, and the urgent need to address climate change, overlooking critical data about the environmental and health benefits of moving away from fossil fuels. 

Gas appliances, for example, have been linked to indoor air pollution, including higher rates of asthma in children and other respiratory issues. Studies have also shown that households using heat pump technologies and all-electric systems powered by renewable energy tend to see lower energy costs over time, particularly since solar costs have plummeted over the past decade (battery storage costs are following suit.)

Moreover, reducing reliance on fossil fuels in homes is a critical step in decarbonizing the built environment. In regions like Washington D.C. and Montgomery County, where these gas bans are being challenged, transitioning to clean energy is key to meeting local and national climate targets, which aim to reduce carbon emissions to net zero by mid-century.

The Path Forward: Innovation Over Resistance

If we only focus on short-term economic gains, we run the risk of being left behind in a market that is increasingly favoring sustainability. 

Vancouver’s building regulations and U.S. Steel’s ResponsibleSteel Certification show how forward-thinking policies and practices are driving decarbonization. These approaches not only mitigate climate risks but also position cities and companies as leaders in the emerging green economy.

More importantly, these examples illustrate that embracing sustainable innovations offers long-term benefits: protecting public health, fostering community resilience, and creating economic opportunities in the rapidly growing sectors of renewable energy, green construction, and clean technologies. 

The construction industry, like steel, stands at a pivotal moment, with the choice of clinging to outdated practices or seizing the opportunities presented by zero-carbon solutions. Those who resist these changes will inevitably find themselves outpaced by competitors who understand that the future of energy, construction, and industry is one rooted in sustainability.

Interested in learning more? Green Builder Media’s COGNITION Academy has robust courses on net zero carbon building, green building fundamentals, green product essentials and green building program like ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Homes, Indoor airPLUS, WaterSense, and HERS ratings. Visit the COGNITION Academy microsite to enroll today!

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