Analyzing Voluntary 2030 District Energy Programs Using the Institutional Analysis and Development Framework

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2019

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"Twenty-two cities across North America have joined the 2030 District energy and water conservation program. Building owners in participating cities voluntarily pledge to reduce building energy use, water use, and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030. The 2030 Districts range in size and climate, from sprawling and warm Los Angeles to the snowy college town of Ithaca, New York. In the absence of robust climate change regulations, the 2030 Districts’ voluntary, non-regulatory approach is a novel way to reduce resource use and emissions. The program allows each 2030 District to create its own approach to encourage building owners to achieve the goals. However, it is unclear whether participating buildings are actually reducing resource use and emissions. It is also unclear what, if any, methods are most useful in holding the participants accountable for meeting their voluntary goals. Therefore, we explore how Ostrom’s eight design principles apply to the 2030 Districts and how they can enhance District functioning to achieve the 2030 District program goals. These principles are then more formally analyzed using the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) Framework. We explore the applicability of the IAD framework for the 2030 District using Grand Rapids, Michigan as a case study. The case study examines the actors and relationships hypothesized under the IAD framework. This exploratory analysis will guide the development of more detailed future investigations. The analysis will increase understanding of voluntary mechanisms to reduce energy use, water use, and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions."

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