Proposal
Vision: Building-related Measures
to Counteract Global Warming
Towards Carbon-Neutralization

December 2009

Preface

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

BackgroundPreface
The five building-related associations ＊1 in Japan have conducted a variety of initiatives to cope with global
environmental issues, including in the year 2000, the enactment of the “Architectural Charter for a Global
Environment”. Since then, scientific knowledge regarding global warming has been accumulated, andsocial concern about this topic has continued to grow throughout Japan. Tackling this issue requires midand long-term efforts, while drawing up a concrete roadmap is a pressing need.
Since demographic, lifestyle, energy and resource issues are deeply connected to global warming, thesemust be the basic factors for constructing a sustainable society. Individual buildings, cities, and regions,being a part of the built environment, play a significant role thereupon. After consideration of domestic andinternational responses to global environmental problems, Japanʼs seventeen building-related associations(i.e. Architectural Institute of Japan, Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Association, Japan Associationof Architectural Firms, The Japan Institute of Architects, Building Contractors Society, The Society of Heating, Airconditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan, Building and Equipment Life Cycle Association, The Institute of Electrical
Installation Engineers of Japan, The Japan Federation of Housing Organizations, Japan Sustainable Building Consortium,
The City Planning Institute of Japan, Japan Association for Real Estate Sciences, The Japan Wood Research Society,
Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation, Japan Building Mechanical and Electrical Engineers
Association, Association of Building Engineering and Equipment, and Japan Structural Consultants Association) havesought mid- and long-term goals towards the year 2050 for buildings, cities, and regions. Based on thebasic principles of the Architectural Charter for a Global Environment, which includes the key issues of 1)
longevity, 2) symbiosis, 3) energy conservation, 4) resource conservation and cyclicity and 5) succession,
the associations have begun to closely examine concrete architectural measures to counteract global
warming.
Future buildings, cities and regions will determine the form of society in the future. Therefore, we hereby
propose to start working together to achieve carbon-neutralization＊2 of buildings and cities/regions forthe sake of creating a low carbon society, and share with all the building-related stakeholders the goals of“Vision 2050: Building-related Measures to Counteract Global Warming ~ Towards Carbon-Neutralization”,
stated hereinafter.

＊1 The five building-related associations: Architectural Institute of Japan, Japan Federation of Architects & Building
Engineers Association, Japan Association of Architectural Firms, The Japan Institute of Architects, Building
Contractors Society＊2 “Carbon-neutral” refers to achieving zero carbon dioxide emissions by balancing a measured amount of carbon
released with an equivalent amount sequestered or offset throughout a whole year. This is achieved by controllingenergy demands, providing necessary energy by renewable resources, and/or combining the reduction of CO2
emissions with other projects. Carbon neutral indicates being as close to the situation of zero CO2 emissions as
possible.
＊3 IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change＊4 ʻBackcastingʼ, as opposed to ʻforecastingʼ, involves envisioning a future scenario, and then tracing the needed steps
back to the present.
＊5 ʻBuilding-related sectorʼ involves individual buildings, cities/regions, legislation and real estates.

1Preface

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

Background

Proposal
In response to the warning set forth in IPCC ＊3ʼs Forth Assessment Report, many countries from aroundthe world have set a long term goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% of the current levelby the year 2050. Taking into consideration the limited carrying capacity of the earth, the “Backcasting”＊4
method should be used to set goals for the future in order to strategically transform our market andsociety, which are closely related to architectural design and urban/regional planning.
In the course of making this transformation, developed countries must play a leading role and accept
larger responsibilities and burdens. As mentioned above, IPCCʼs Forth Assessment Report stated that thebuilding sector has the largest potential to contribute to short- and mid-term mitigation and preventionof global warming. This indicates that we, those involved in the building-related sector, are in the very
position to lead the world in executing large scale measures to counteract global warming.
Therefore, in order to prevent the negative affects of global warming, we must do our best to implement
the carbon-neutralization of buildings and cities/regions by minimizing CO2e. Our goal is to carbonneutralize new construction during the next 10 to 20 years, and then all buildings, including existingbuildings, by the year 2050. A detailed outline of the strategies is as follows.

Goals

Carbon-Neutralization of Buildings, Cities and Regions
1 Promote the minimization of CO2e from buildings during the next 10 to 20 years through thecarbon-neutralization of new construction.
New buildings must be designed to minimize the energy required for construction and operation, andto maximize the utilization of renewable energy sources. The carbon-neutralization of buildings must also
be promoted through long-life design using eco-materials, while at the same time being flexible for easy
refurbishment in the future. It is possible to achieve this goal using existing technologies; however, efforts
should be made to achieve the goal sooner through the promotion of technical developments to reduce
costs and the development of institutions.
2 Promote the carbon-neutralization of all building-related sector＊5, including existing buildings,
by the year 2050
Buildings, composing a considerable part of our social property, require relevant measures addressing
not only new construction but also the enormous number of existing buildings through refurbishment.
It is important as well to provide relevant social systems that enable us to use and maintain a building
for a long time through refurbishment. That is, we promote the carbon-neutralization of all buildings by
the year 2050 through refurbishments that will minimize the environmental impact during the life of thebuilding. Considering the method of refurbishment developed at the design stage and in accordance withthe buildingʼs objectives, this includes measures such as energy efficiency, adoption of renewable energy
sources, and enhancement of durability.
3 Promote carbon-neutralization of the surrounding city/region and society
In order to achieve the carbon-neutralization of a building, it is essential to understand the close
relationship it has with its surrounding city/region. This includes consideration of the local climate, local
geographical features, utilization of local resources, and closer cooperation with nearby economic
activities and communities. Since a building is an important component of the region, the carbonneutralization of buildings helps accelerate low-carbonization of the region as well. We promote, therefore,
the carbon-neutralization of not only a single building but also its surrounding region and society.

2Preface

Policy 1:

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

Background

How to plan, design, construct and operate carbon-neutral buildings

1 Design and operate buildings to minimize energy consumption
Buildings emit large amounts of CO 2 when consuming energy
for heating and cooling, which can be significantly reduced throughenhancing the environmental performance of the building envelop (e.g.
insulation and sun-shading), and also through installation of state-of-theart mechanical appliances (e.g. air-conditioners, lighting, hot water heaters
and office appliances). These products have recently made remarkableprogress in energy efficiency. In addition, the behavior of the building
users contributes greatly to the reduction of CO2e, through lifestylechanges and choosing efficient household electrical appliances. By
integrating these energy-saving measures as intensively as possible
into a buildingʼs design, energy consumption can be minimized without
sacrificing comfort.

in the future real-estate market. Furthermore, the refurbishment of theexisting building stock should be properly promoted to improve energy
efficiency as well as to extend the lifespan of buildings.

2 Design buildings to use renewable energy sources to provide
the amount of energy consumed
Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, geothermal,
hydraulic and biomass energy. The feasibility of renewable energy
should be examined during the design stage of a building. Buildings
should be equipped with demand and supply systems that utilize
thermal renewable energy sources, especially solar energy. During
the operational stage, minimizing energy consumption and changing
to renewable energy sources can promote carbon-neutralization ofbuildings with the greatest reduction of CO2e.

5 Plan to reduce off-site CO2e when on-site CO2e are irreducible
When carbon-neutralization of a building cannot be achieved on-site,
complementary measures should be examined to reduce CO2e off-site,which helps attain carbon-neutralization as a whole while maintaining
flexibility in design. Carbon Credits for the procurement of off-site
renewable energy sources and Certified Emission Reductions that allowbuildings to manage reductions of CO2e collectively are examples of
economic systems that reduce off-site CO2e when on-site CO2e are
irreducible.

4 Promote the utilization of eco-materials which reduces CO2e
When choosing building materials and elements, eco-materials
should be chosen, reducing CO 2 e during manufacturing andtransportation, as well as maximizing resource efficiency. The intensive
use of wood also helps reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in theatmosphere by consequently increasing the amount of fixed carbon
accumulated in building elements. From this same viewpoint, during
the disposal stage of a building, reuse of building materials should also
be promoted.

6 Formulate and utilize a life-cycle management system appliedconsistently throughout the life of a building (e.g. from design,

3 Design and operate a building to extend its lifespan
Carbon-neutralization of a building can also be promoted byextending a buildingʼs lifespan as long as possible, which avoids CO2e
originating from construction and disposal. This requires improving thephysical performance of buildings through enhancing durability, seismic
stability and disaster-prevention. In addition, flexible building designfor the sake of future refurbishment (e.g. skeleton-infill building system)
will help maximize utilization of the existing building structures andelements and also contribute to easy circulation of existing buildings

construction, operation, renovation to disposal)

An effective lifecycle management system covering the life of abuilding, including design, construction, operation, renovation anddisposal, should be developed and implemented. Use of a totally
integrated building data-base will simplify management of the built
environment. Carbon neutralization of buildings can be promoted
through the development and implementation of such a coherent
design and management process.

11Conventional
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measuresasaswellwellPreface

Policy 2:

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

Background

How to construct a carbon-neutral city/region and society
awareness towards carbon-neutralization. Such initiatives have recently
been promoted and used in the real estate market to appraise the valueof properties. While regulatory control of buildings is an effective measure,financial incentives that provide benefits are also indispensable whenseeking to achieve higher goals. Once fully operational, complementary
methods, such as certification, carbon credits, and credit procurement, will
create a very flexible system capable of reducing CO2e for each building.

1 Promote measures even on urban and regional levels
The carbon-neutralization of a region and society, beyond that ofa single building, should be promoted by means of comprehensive
measures on urban and regional levels, addressing urban compaction,
regional energy supply, utilization of unused and/or renewable energy,
reduction of energy used for transportation, and measures to mitigate
the heat island effect of urban areas＊6. To this end, the waste ofresources and energy arising from urban sprawl should be minimized byutilizing and refurbishing existing buildings and infrastructures and also
by transforming urban areas into compact cities.

5 Lifestyle reform
Those using the built environment have demanded greater comfort andconvenience, which has created a lifestyle of high energy use and separationfrom nature. In order to achieve carbon-neutralization, it is necessary forbuilding-related experts not only to improve building performance but also
to propose a lifestyle ＊7 which does not rely on carbon energy, as well as topractice this lifestyle together with users and occupants. It is also importantto provide a healthy living environment to users and occupants throughout
their lives and to create a lifestyle in accordance with nature.

2 Observation and utilization of the local climate in building design
Japan has a variety of climate zones, by which buildings are
significantly influenced. Passive building designs and town-scaping
methods conforming to the local climate and/or micro-climate may
reduce energy demands for heating and cooling. Furthermore, intensive
use of regional resources, materials and renewable energy sources may
11Conventional
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3 Promote forests as carbon storage
Forests store carbon, and therefore should be carefully used andnursed on the basis of a long-term program. Although the building
industry is the largest consumer of wood, the lumber used in buildings
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useof wood in buildings. This includes banning the use of illegallylogged timbers and encouraging intensive use of domestic wood
including trees thinned from forests.

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Preface

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

Background

Framework of the Action Plan
A building should protect the life and private property of its owner andoccupants. It should also be regarded a part of social property that
contributes to protecting the environment at regional and even global
levels (e.g. preventing global warming). Furthermore, a building and acity/region can also possess a highly public aspect through carbonneutralization, which largely contributes to mitigating global warming by
reducing CO2e.
Because of the intrinsically deep connections between lifestyle, society
and the built environment, not only building owners and experts, but
all members of society must engage in measures to counteract global
warming. Following from this viewpoint, we hereby propose for society“Vision 2050: Building-related Measures to Counteract Global Warming”
as an expression of the will of all parties involved in the building-related
sector. We also hereby declare our own action plan to realize “Vision
2050”. The framework of the action plan is as follows.

construction and operation of the built environment, we will develop
human resources with the relevant knowledge and skills necessary tocomprehend the building sectorʼs countermeasures to global warming.

4 Information dissemination
Efforts should be made to provide the general public with informationon the importance and effective role of building-related measures tocounteract global warming in a tangible way, for instance, by using astandardized labeling and evaluation system. Using opportunities inenvironmental education, all people must be made aware that civil lifein the built environment, including life in buildings, cities and regions,influences global warming.
5 Cross-lateral cooperation
In order to promote building-related measures to counteract
global warming, cooperation and a common understanding is
indispensable among various stakeholders including construction andmaintenance experts, building material manufacturers and suppliers,
equipment makers, energy providers, as well as building clients, users,
neighborhood residents, administrators, real estate developers andfinanciers. Therefore, cross-lateral cooperation among all stakeholders
will be facilitated.

1 Research and development
Technological development and integrated research will be conducted
to increase energy efficiency, intensify adoption of renewable energy
sources, and lengthen the lifespan of buildings. In addition, a roadmap
to actualize countermeasures will be created by envisioning a building
and city/region image, associated with an entire scenario for society in
2050.

6 International cooperation
In order to share and actualize the common goal of carbonneutralization of buildings to prevent global warming, close andcontinuous cooperation among countries and regions from aroundthe world should be promoted. This goal can be achieved, whileboth preserving the unique architectural and urban/regional culture ofJapan fostered by its specific climate and region and providing diverse
solutions to buildings and regions around the world.

2 Policy proposition
In order to ensure the effective execution of the building-related
measures to counteract global warming, we will elaborate and propose
policies regarding information and economic systems, including
regulatory and incentive methods, considering case studies fromabroad. How to bear the necessary costs arising from applying thesemeasures will also be examined and reflected in the policy proposition.
3 Development of human resources
Among the experts and students involved in planning, design,5Preface

Proposal

Framework of the Action Plan

Background

Image by Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales, NASA Images.

Background
1 Warning of global warming
The Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC warned in the most serious
tone ever that “global warming is likely attributed to human activity”
and “there is no longer any doubt that global warming is occurring”.
We must sincerely accept this warning, which is the outcome ofextensive and scientific research, and then devote ourselves to theimplementation of preventive measures to mitigate global warming,
which is likely to threaten the existence of human beings on earth.

6 Utilization of sustainable resources
Global warming is the result of the massive use of fossil fuels such ascoal, petroleum and natural gas. However, considering we rely heavily
on exhaustible non-renewable energy sources, the worldʼs population isincreasing, and developing countries are experiencing rapid economic
growth, our future looks more and more uncertain. Therefore, buildingsthat consume enormous amounts of energy and resources throughout
their lifespan should be designed and transformed to effectively utilize
renewable resources and for cyclical use in order to neutralize CO2e asmuch as possible during production, operation and deposal.

2 Our ultimate goal is to stabilize climate change
The Kyoto Protocol, adopted at COP3＊8 in 1997, was internationallythe historic first step to cope with global warming. However, ourultimate goal must be to resolve “how we as humans can stabilize
climate change?” Based on the Fourth Assessment Report of IPCC, inorder to reduce the amount of anthropogenic emissions to the samelevel as natural absorption, it is now widely accepted to set the goal of
reducing global greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by the year 2050.

7 Constructing a sustainable society
Due to an extremely low birthrate, the population of Japan isdecreasing while the number of elderly is increasing. Moreover, thedecline of provincial local city centers and agricultural and fishingcommunities has long been a social issue. Facing such rapid socialchange, a new perspective towards sustainable reorganizationof regional and urban areas is needed. In order to obtain a newperspective to counteract global warming, the “Backcasting”
method can be used for planning and design initiatives. In contrast
to “Forecasting”, backcasting is a reverse process that first creates a
concrete vision of the future, and then retraces the needed steps backto the present to create strategies and initiatives that will contribute tobuilding local communities and a sustainable society.

3 Recent goal of Japan
Although coping with global warming is a global issue common
to all nations, it is now widely recognized that developed anddeveloping countries have different responsibilities both qualitatively
and quantitatively. As a result, some developed countries have set
their goals to reduce emissions by even more than 50%. In July 2008,
Japanʼs Cabinet adopted the “Action Plan for Building a Low-Carbon
Society”, which proposes to reduce CO2e by 60 to 80% by the year
2050.

8 Prevention of global warming and the social capital value ofbuildings
Assuming that lifespan of current buildings is longer than 50 years,
the building sector must begin working towards 2050 to prevent global
warming. Moreover, it is most important to extend the lifespan ofbuildings, as well as to improve the generally poor performance of thetremendous amount of existing building stock.
Even though a building may be private property, architectural
measures to counteract global warming, such as energy efficiency,
utilization of renewable resources and extending the lifespan of abuilding, may provide public benefits by contributing greatly to thecreation of a low-carbon society. In this sense, buildings should be
regarded as a part of social capital.

4 Realization of a “Low-Carbon Society”
The technical possibility of reducing CO2e by 60 to 80% is being
examined from various viewpoints using diverse approaches. However,given present circumstances, such a significant reduction in CO2e
is a challenging goal and impossible to achieve by applying a single
existing measure or technical development. Drastic transformations in
the market, socio-economic structure and lifestyle, etc. are absolutely
required. In addition, current discussions are now focused on how toachieve a real “Low-carbon Society”, which complements the national
efforts to formulate an overall framework with local initiatives conforming
to regional characteristics.

9 Global trends in the building and city/region sector
Prevention of global warming has been recognized as the building
sectorʼs top priority not only in Europe and the U.S., but also in Asian
countries. Japan should establish a network of building-related
associations from around the world including Asia, which will help tocreate a low-carbon society on a global scale through the exchange of
information and people, sharing goals, and transferring technology.

5 The responsibility of the building-related sector
The building sector is responsible for approximately 30% of global
CO 2e. IPCCʼs Fourth Assessment Report also points out that thebuilding sector has the largest potential to reduce CO2e through shortand mid-term effective measures. While the manufacturing sector issignificantly influenced by the geographical and local social conditions
and international competition, the building sector can be controlled byrelatively stable domestic measures.
With full knowledge of the above mentioned issues, we, those
involved in the building-related sector, must be aware of our very
important role of implementing architectural measures to counteract
global warming.

＊8 COP3 The 3rd Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

6

Vision

Proposal: Building-related Measures
to Counteract Global Warming
Towards Carbon-Neutralization

DrafterArchitectural Institute of Japan
Japan Federation of Architects & Building Engineers Association
Japan Association of Architectural Firms
The Japan Institute of Architects
Building Contractors Society
The Society of Heating, Air-conditioning and Sanitary Engineers of Japan
Building and Equipment Life Cycle Association
The Institute of Electrical Installation Engineers of JapanThe Japan Federation of Housing Organizations
Japan Sustainable Building Consortium
The City Planning Institute of Japan
Japan Association for Real Estate Sciences
The Japan Wood Research Society
Institute for Building Environment and Energy Conservation
Japan Building Mechanical and Electrical Engineers Association
Association of Building Engineering and Equipment
Japan Structural Consultants Association

info@aij.or.jp for questions and further information.