Do green buildings add up to green cities?

1. Berkeley Conference on Green Building, The Economy, and Public Policy December 2-3,2009Panel discussion on research issuesBjorn Harsman, KTH, Stockholm

2. Do green buildings add up to green cities? • S Sheppard (2008): The expected ”volume” of new cities and urban neighborhoods over the next 30 years correspond to the present built environment accumulated during 3000 years • P Newton et al (1997): Reports considerable ”short run” air quality differences between alternative scenarios of future urban forms • Glaeser and Kahn (2009): Some US cities emit more CO2 than others; land use restriction may increase emissions • Research: Extend SS´s approach by adding data on energy consumption, emissions, air pollution and urban form

3. CO2-emissions per GDP and per capita in EU and OECD 2005

4. EU: strong ambitions and …. • The 20/20/20 plan (27 countries, 491 million people ) : Cut greenhouse gas emissions by 20% (from the 1990 levels), increase renewable energy usage by 20% and cut energy consumption through improved energy efficiency by 20% • …strong believe in regulations

5. Examples of directives and action plans initiated since 2000 Energy performance of buildings directive Eco-design of energy-using products directive Directive on promotion of energy use from renewable resources Energy end-use, efficiency and energy services directive Environmental technologies action plan …. Research: the balance between adminstratively and market oriented policy measures in different sectors in different countries? The role played by constitutions/traditions, dominating expert knowledge, NGO´s, level of income, etc

6. Housing consumption expenditure in Sweden, million SEK, fixed price

7. Development of energy prices

8. Prices and taxes for housing electricy 0.01 SEK/kWh, current prices

9. Compare administrative/regulative measures and price measures • Energy savings • Rate of innovation in energy saving techonologies • Costs including rent seeking behavior

10. Design of environmental performance certificates? • The Swedish environmental rating tool currently being implemented was jointly developed by the government, stakeholders and researchers • It covers fewer assessment areas and fewer indicators of ”potentials” than BREEAM, LEED and Green Star. Low rating of one area can not be compensated by high ratings in another • Will different systems result in different energy saving and rent effects? Is it meaningful to look for optimal performance certificates? Will a global standard emerge?

11. Information to users • KTH, a real estate company and the Sthlm city is currently planning a series of information experiments • Office employes will be offered daily information on their energy consumption in the office and when travelling • The purpose is to find out if and to what extent energy consumption (and modal choice) is affected by different kinds of information

12. How green is green? • Fölster and Nyström (2009): energy saving estimates should take account of potential behavioral responses/rebound effects • Initial energy savings of 20% in transport and heating eventually led to increased carbon emissions with 5 % • Research: ??