“We are simply not making significant strides in crucial metrics that predict building performance,” states Greg Mella, FAIA, Director of Sustainable Design at SmithGroupJJR and co-chair of the AIA 2030 Working Group, in a new report that gauges the progress made by firms voluntarily committing to reduce the carbon emissions produced by their buildings. “These findings should serve as a wake-up call to architects that there needs to be greater urgency to drive improved energy efficiency across their project portfolios if we are going to reach our ultimate carbon reduction goals.”

While a total of 152 firms submitted data, amounting to a 9% increase from 2014, the reports aren’t terribly impressive. A scant 4% of the total gross square feet (GSF) represented met the target of reducing carbon emissions by 70%. And just 10% of total GSF met the previous target—a 60% carbon reduction—representing a decrease of 4% since the last report. That being said, 614 design projects met the 60% target, which amounts to a 42% increase.

In total, the energy saved accounts for about 21 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to the energy required to power 2.2 million homes for a year. According to the AIA, buildings and their construction produce nearly half of the world’s greenhouse gases each year, as well as the energy consumed in the U.S. per year. This amounts to over 700 million metric tons of carbon each year.

Need help figuring out how to reduce your firm’s carbon footprint? Use this handy tool developed by the AIA that has a range of analytic aids intended to help you improve energy efficiency in the building you design.

For more on the ecological ramifications of buildings, follow these links:

• The climate is getting hotter, and we're not doing nearly enough
• Relocation or Adaptation: Is a 2-Degree Limit for Global Warming Not Enough?
• Architects call for action on climate change
• Designing around sea-level rise in New York