Greater Pittsburgh International Center of Excellence on High Performance Building

Established by the United Nations, the Centers of Excellence are a network of organizations that create healthy, affordable, and resilient places for all residents.

Greater Pittsburgh International Center of Excellence on High Performance Building

Established by the United Nations, the Centers of Excellence are a network of organizations that create healthy, affordable, and resilient places for all residents.

Buildings are responsible for

>70%

electric power

40%

CO2

39%

Global GHG

“ Buildings and the built environment are highest priority for action by communities and by countries to deliver not only the Paris Agreement, but also the whole 2030 Agenda. Buildings are critical across all the sustainable development goals. The goals go beyond decarbonization, though decarbonization is the most urgent as the climate crisis is existential. Success with this initiative will break the historic link between development and carbon emissions. ”

- Olga Algayerova, UNECE Executive Secretary

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, GBA President & CEO Jenna Cramer, UNECE Director of Sustainable Energy Division Scott Foster, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald

About the Greater Pittsburgh Center of Excellence on High Performance Building

UNECE and Pittsburgh’s Green Building Alliance (GBA) signed an agreement on September 12, 2019, launching the Greater Pittsburgh International Center of Excellence on High Performance Building. Pittsburgh joined New York City’s Building Energy Exchange as the second Center of Excellence in a global network of sustainability experts tasked with disseminating and deploying UNECE’s Framework Guidelines for Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings. As part of UNECE’s high performance building initiative, the Centers will distill best practices in design, construction, training, and policy into scalable solutions, catalyzing economies based on human health and equitable opportunity.

Centers create tangible solutions to the challenges in achieving UN Sustainable Development Goals, which include sustainable community development, inclusive economic growth, affordable and clean energy, resilient infrastructure, and responsible manufacturing. Buildings consume over 70% of the electrical power generated and are responsible for 40% of CO2 emissions and 40% of primary energy and are responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainability

The designation recognizes Pittsburgh’s leadership, achievements in and commitment to sustainability. The city is home to the largest 2030 District in the world, with more than 750 buildings (92.2 million square feet) committed to 50% reduction in energy use, water consumption, and transportation emissions by the year 2030, while improving indoor air quality (IAQ). The City of Pittsburgh has committed to achieving 100% renewable energy and has established its own Climate Action Plan, in addition to widespread commitments among non-profits and businesses to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Regionally, Western Pennsylvania is a leader in building innovation and sustainable construction, including Phipps Conservatory Center for Sustainable Landscapes and the Frick Environmental Center, both of which have achieved multiple building certifications including LEED Platinum and Living Building Challenge (LBC) Certification.

Partners

The Greater Pittsburgh Center of Excellence is a public private partnership. Leading regional partners include Allegheny County, City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny Conference on Community Development, PA Department of conservation and Natural Resources, PJ Dick, Fourth Economy, Duquesne Light, Covestro, Partner4Work, Innovation Works, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, nonprofits, and professionals. We look forward to growing this partnership to include additional developers, business leaders, and policymakers.

Programs

Train architects, engineers, planners, contractors, and tradespeople in international best practices for sustainable construction, design, and deep energy reduction
Provide direct expertise to projects implementing new technologies or building methods, in addition to creating demonstration projects for early-stage products and financing models
Collaborate with local universities and companies to develop innovative building policies, products, technologies, and finance mechanisms
Advocate for changes in local and state policy, including building codes, zoning incentives, energy regulation, and climate and resilience strategies
Partner to create an economic development strategy based on clean energy and a healthy, resilient built environment

Goals

Focus on best practices for product manufacturing operations with regards to green buildings
Use building performance data software to establish baselines and performance metrics for energy, water, indoor air quality (IAQ), etc.
Advance research, practice, and policies that support the Center goals
Provide education and training to design, construction, and trades professionals
Support outreach and sharing best practices/education through the networks of Centers of Excellence
Inspire and create demonstration projects to accelerate adoption of the next generation of buildings and practices