To meet goals outlined by the Paris Agreement, a measure of energy inefficiency called the “energy intensity” per square meter of buildings requires a 30 percent increase by 2030, according to the World Green Building Council. Climate change is at least partially considered in most building codes, as buildings around the world are designed to withstand natural disasters. Yet it is often up to individual builders and contractors to go beyond codes for improving building performance and minimizing environmental impacts. Working with architects, both old and new cities are making eco-friendly enhancements.