Earth Day 2025 Blog: Renewable Energy by Design
This year's Earth Day theme, "Our Power, Our Planet," inspires us to embrace our shared responsibility to leave the Earth a better place than we found it. Through sustainable practices and renewable energy, we have the power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and secure a healthier planet for generations to come.
According to the World Resources Institute, the energy sector is responsible for 75.7% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Our buildings drive energy consumption not just through the need to heat and cool our spaces but through the sourcing and production of building materials, the transportation of materials to the site, the construction process, operation and building maintenance, decommissioning, and demolition. It is, therefore, imperative that we consider the entire project scope when we discuss decarbonization and NetZero design.
As engineers, architects, and designers, what can we do?
We are in a unique position to make conscious design decisions that can prevent the perpetuation of climate change. As a signatory firm to the AIA 2030 commitment, Ghafari continually supports the Architecture 2030 Challenge, one project at a time.
Every project presents a valuable opportunity to act as a catalyst for positive change. By collaborating closely with our clients, we aim to achieve zero on-site fossil fuel combustion, develop 100% electric buildings, and install on-site renewable energy production. This ambitious goal may come with its challenges, but together, we can advocate for a sustainable future and foster the welfare of our environment.
In facing obstacles associated with sustainable design, we see new opportunities, including:
- Fostering awareness that energy efficiency can be very cost effective when considered early in design. These conversations with the building owner should be supported by return on investment calculations and a broad knowledge of available and applicable technology so we can find the best option to meet the client needs.
- Encouraging owners to strategically take advantage of available government subsidies and / or utility rebates.
- Designing renewables-ready buildings that will decarbonize as the utility grid moves towards cleaner energy solutions and investigate potential options for onsite renewable energy production to meet the client needs and budget.
- Remembering that estimating and tracking energy consumption and carbon emissions is a service we can offer to clients.
For Earth Day this year, we celebrate Ghafari’s commitment to harness renewable energy and sustainable design, inspiring a healthier, equitable, and prosperous future for all.
Learn more about the why, what, and who of our sustainability services at Ghafari.
#WEnewable #sustainability
