Decarbonization: The product of integrated design

ASHRAE s Task Force for Building Decarbonization has established for the society a position stating, "Eliminating GHG emissions from the built environment is essential to address climate change." Though in complete agreement, this author strongly suggests eliminating GHG should be a by-product of achieving the desired indoor environment, thus why integrated design is critical to decarbonization. If not, then in executing ASHRAE s strategies, expected decarbonization goals could be reached at the potential risk of only achieving incremental improvements in occupants perceptions of built environments. Thus the importance of acknowledging the consequences of converting energy for buildings should ultimately benefit its occupants. That is, preventing negative stress from discomfort in all environmental metrics the human body senses. Hence talking strictly about energy without talking about indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is akin to talking about wheels without talking about the tires. Again, the ethos of architecture is for safety and to reduce physiological and psychological stress due to environmental conditions and the reasons why buildings exist in the first place. This paper aims to acknowledge and support the direction of ASHRAE s Task Force for Building Decarbonization. Its primary purpose is to provide an updated graph that enables the design community and policymakers to see overarching integrated relationships supporting decarbonization. Those relationships are between energy sources and systems and designs in architecture, enclosures, interiors, mechanical and electrical systems, and commissioning. It combines the metrics for creating safe, comfortable, healthy environments. Finally, it acknowledges the principles found within ASHRAE s evolving position statements, standards, educational curriculum, and technical tools developed to help society reduce greenhouse gases (GHG).