New Construction Code for Sustainable Buildings Unveiled in 2018
The 2018 International Green Construction Code (IgCC) is a significant stride in the world of construction, aiming to enhance building performance, sustainability, and community standards. Released by the U.S. Green Building Council, International Code Council, ASHRAE, and the Illuminating Engineering Society on November 8, 2018, the IgCC is designed to incorporate green building strategies into building codes for improved standards of living worldwide.
The IgCC offers a comprehensive tool that has a direct impact on the implementation of green building strategies. By establishing enforceable sustainability standards, it improves energy efficiency, encourages the use of sustainable materials, and promotes healthier indoor environments. This, in turn, advances green building practices globally.
One of the key benefits of the IgCC is its contribution to building performance. By enhancing energy efficiency and durability, it lowers operational costs and maintenance needs, thereby extending the building's useful life.
The IgCC also focuses on sustainability, reducing environmental impacts by curbing greenhouse gas emissions, incentivizing the use of eco-friendly materials, and supporting climate resilience through design. This makes it a valuable tool in the fight against climate change and the promotion of sustainable development.
Moreover, the IgCC raises the baseline for green construction within jurisdictions adopting the code. This leads to the creation of healthier, more resilient communities with reduced urban heat island effects and improved air quality.
Although adoption remains uneven globally, the IgCC aligns with broader trends in building codes and certification systems like LEED and BREEAM. These systems set quantifiable benchmarks for environmental performance, promoting uniform sustainability standards across regions. This helps embed sustainable design principles throughout a building’s lifecycle and can increase property values and marketability.
The IgCC leverages ASHRAE's technical expertise to promote the implementation of green building strategies. ASHRAE's mission, which includes improving energy efficiency, building performance, and indoor air quality, aligns closely with the goals of the IgCC.
The 2018-IgCC is part of the Code Council's suite of model codes, including the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code, and International Fire Code.
The IgCC combines the technical requirements of ASHRAE Standard 189.1 with the model code administrative provisions by the Code Council, resulting in a unified code for easier adoption, use, and enforcement in building projects.
The IgCC is expected to help increase the resilience, safety, and resources of communities across the globe. By preparing communities for the future with the latest technologies and cost-effective strategies for dealing with resource scarcity, it helps ensure a sustainable and resilient future for all.
Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, stated that the goal is for building professionals and policymakers to adopt greener building strategies to implement LEED and achieve higher performance in sustainability. Dominic Sims, CEO of the International Code Council, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that the IgCC helps communities prepare for the future.
For more information on the 2018 International Green Construction Code and green building codes in general, visit the IgCC web page. The IgCC is a crucial step towards a more sustainable future, and its impact is already being felt around the world.
The IgCC incorporates green building strategies, such as improved energy efficiency, the use of sustainable materials, and healthier indoor environments, which are significant in the fight against climate change and the promotion of environmental-science. The unified code, which combines the technical requirements of ASHRAE Standard 189.1 with the model code administrative provisions by the Code Council, also encourages the implementation of technology that enhances resource management and community resilience.
