Dive Brief:
- The world’s net-zero energy market for both commercial and residential projects is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion by 2035, according to a Navigant Research report.
- The North American net-zero building industry is also expected to skyrocket, with an anticipated annual increase of 38.4% between 2014 and 2035, pushing its value beyond $127 billion.
- Navigant said the growth of net-zero projects is partly attributable to the technology that now makes almost any building — commercial or residential — a good candidate for the energy efficiency method. In addition, the research firm said net-zero’s adoption into state and national building codes, as well as the enactment of strict energy-saving requirements in several states, will boost its growth, according to Building Design + Construction.
Dive Insight:
Net-zero energy performance, where the structure produces as much energy as it uses, is becoming a widely implemented global green initiative, including in the U.S.
Although there is not an official, national net-zero initiative, there is a certain level of federal support. Last month, the U.S. Department of Energy introduced its Better Buildings Zero Energy Schools Accelerator program, which advocates for school energy efficiency through building design. The agency said the initiative could reduce school energy consumption by 65% to 80% through the use natural daylight and the latest in HVAC system technology. These living net-zero labs, according to the DOE, could also provide teachers with the tools to introduce energy conservation concepts to their students.
Private organizations are also pushing the net-zero philosophy worldwide. In June, the World Green Building Council introduced its "Advancing Net Zero" initiative, which set the goal of 100% net-zero buildings by 2050. The WGBC is also working to get all new buildings and those undergoing significant repairs or renovations net-zero energy-compliant by 2030.
