In late January - just before 17 of the world’s top economies gathered in Hawaii to debate greenhouse gas emissions cuts - the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) held an emergency meeting of its Committee for the Awareness and Understanding of a Sustainable Environment (C.A.U.S.E.) in Honolulu.

At this meeting, IAPMO committed to push forward a minimum 10% mandatory reduction in energy usage and water savings through code changes that require sustainable construction practices over the next three years. The changes will be in the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code and Uniform Solar Code.