WEF: Urban Transformation – 4 strategies to decarbonize existing buildings

One of the biggest obstacles to cities achieving their CO2 reduction targets is the large number of existing buildings that have been constructed without taking sustainability into account. Existing buildings account for around 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, and most of them will still be standing in more than 20 years’ time.

San Diego, California, has committed to reducing 90 % of natural gas consumption in buildings, including existing homes, by 2035. The article highlights the city’s collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) to develop programs to achieve these ambitious goals.

These include the use of microgrids, a solution that contributes to a cleaner and more reliable energy supply through the local generation, storage and use of energy by buildings using renewable energy and battery technologies.