The USGBC is partnering with the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) to create the Climate Positive Development Program. This will support the development of large-scale urban projects that demonstrate cities can grow in ways that are “climate positive”. The real estate involved in this program will strive to reduce their amount of on-site CO2 emissions to below zero.
Ten countries are hosting a total of 16 demonstration projects supported by local governments and property developers. The program uses a number of strategies to reduce energy use and generate clean energy. The main priority is to implement economically viable innovations in building practices, waste management, clean energy generation, water management, transportation and outdoor lighting systems.
Two of the 16 demo projects are in the United States in Destiny, FL and the Treasure Island Redevelopment Project in San Francisco, CA.
The driver for this is the increasing population in our world’s cities. In 2008, half of the world’s population lived in cities and that figure is expected to grow to 70% by 2050. USGBC claims that cities are responsible for 2/3 of the global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. How cities change their built community as they grow is a critical component to the global climate change.