The 2030 Challenge

Zero carbon footprint

Architecture 2030* has issued a serious challenge to the design/build industry–dramatically reduce climate-change greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by changing the way buildings and developments are planned, designed, and built. And, at Dooge Veneers, we’re firmly on board.

Why? Because buildings are the primary source of demand for greenhouse gas-emitting energy and materials. And we know that slowing–and ultimately reversing–the growth of GHG emissions is the key to addressing climate change and keeping average global temperatures close to pre-industrial levels.

To achieve that, 2030 Challenge asks the design and build community to adopt the following goals:

• Design all new buildings, developments, and major renovations to use 60% less fossil fuel/GHG emitting energy than the regional average for that building type.
• Renovate an equal amount of existing building area annually to use 60% less fossil fuel/GHG emitting energy than the regional average for that building type.
• Raise the fossil fuel reduction standard for new buildings and major renovations to:
  ~70% in 2015
  ~80% in 2020
  ~90% in 2025
  ~Carbon-neutral in 2030 (using no fossil fuel or GHG-emitting energy).

As a supplier to the design and build community, Dooge Veneers has signed on to the Challenge 2030 and we’re committed to being part of the solution. Here’s how:

• By encouraging the use of sustainable building materials. Trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) as they grow, storing carbon in their wood, leaves, and the surrounding soil. Once processed, veneer and lumber continue to store much of that carbon indefinitely–making veneer a more sustainable choice than manmade materials.
• By promoting FSC-certified, locally sourced, and rapidly renewable veneers. All of which reduce a project’s carbon footprint and promote a more sustainable use of natural resources.
• By reducing our own carbon footprint – we’re recycling everything we can–including our metal and plastic banding material, our plastic pallet wrap, and, it goes without saying, the paper, plastic, glass in our office and warehouse.
• By supporting the Hardwood Forestry Fund and Tropical Forestry Foundation and being an early adopter of FSC efforts to promote sustainable harvesting.
• And by encouraging clients and other suppliers to join the Challenge.

Architecture 2030 estimates that based on construction, demolition, and renovation trends, three-quarters of the built environment will be new or renovated over the next 30 years. How we build and renovate those environments makes all the difference in what kind of world we’ll live, work, and play in in the future.

*Architecture 2030, a non-profit, non-partisan and independent organization, was established in response to the climate change crisis by architect Edward Mazria in 2002. For more information, to get on their email list, or to adopt the challenge, visit www.architecture2030.org