National Policy — policy in action
Hawaii
- SB 3325 / 2022
Hawaii’s Carbon Smart Land Management Assistance Pilot Program financially incentivizes carbon sequestration activities which “increase local food production, improve soil health, and secure resilient water sources.”
- SB 1801 / 2022
Designers can use building materials that reduce the carbon footprint of all new state buildings as well as maximize each site’s energy generation potential and water efficiency. This law also sets deadlines for existing state facilities to implement cost-effective energy efficiency measures.
- Honolulu Bill 25 / 2020
This bill provides a set of regulations and guidelines to promote sustainability in the built environment by emphasizing energy-efficient materials, technologies, and design practices. As a result, designing with solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources are expected in accordance with this ordinance, as well as a portion of parking spaces for electric vehicles can be more readily designed for new residential and commercial buildings.
- Honolulu Ordinance 19-30 / 2019
Honolulu’s goal to reduce or eliminate carbon-based single-use plastics and polystyrene by 2030 creates new opportunities for designers to reimagine materials, reevaluate production processes, and prioritize the principles of circular economy and eco-design.
Resources
Plans, reports, green banks, and contacts to explore:
- HB 623 / 2015
Designers can rely on sourcing renewable energy in Hawaii due to HB 623, which set benchmarks to increase renewable portfolio standards to 30% by December 2020, 70% by December 2040, and 100% by December 2045.
- SB 1087 / 2013
Designers can help integrate a wide array of green technologies through the Green Energy Market Securitization (GEMS) program. This bill establishes green infrastructure financing to make clean energy improvements more accessible to underserved community members, low and moderate income homeowners, renters, and nonprofits.
- SB 644 / 2009
This bill promotes the use of renewable energy sources in design by prohibiting the permitting of buildings without solar water heater systems in single-family residences. Moreover, it creates tax credits for solar thermal energy, wind-powered energy, and photovoltaic energy systems for single-family, multi-family, and commercial properties.
How to Participate
To help advance climate action –– check if your local, state, or national government is proposing new policies, codes, or regulations that champion decarbonization. Local, state, national, and international climate policy tracking tools are included below for easy access.
Join a climate action advocacy group in a well-informed, professional organization to leverage their experience and resources. Consider these respected organizations: Achieving Net Zero / AIA Advocacy / ASLA Advocacy / Carbon Leadership Forum Advocacy / USGBC Advocacy
