January 29, 2003—Finding ways to reduce the impact of buildings on the environment in order to enhance the quality of life for current and future generations is the goal of a newly formed technical committee of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
Technical Committee 2.8, Building Environmental Impacts and Sustainability, will examine the impacts of biological and mineral resource depletion; energy production, conversion, delivery and use, availability of future energy resources; pollution of air, water, and soil; and encroachment on sensitive habitats and ecosystems.
The committee also will work to provide information on energy resources and the various impacts of development and use of those resources. The committee also will continue work on the ASHRAE GreenGuide, which will provide practical information for owners, consulting engineers and others on the design and operation of environmentally friendly buildings. Publication is expected later this year.
The committee’s work supports initiatives contained in ASHRAE’s first Building Sustainability Position Statement, approved last year. The statement contains measures to provide safe, healthy and comfortable indoor environments while limiting their impact on natural resources.
Copies of the ASHRAE Building Sustainability Position Statement may be downloaded from ASHRAE.org.
