Carbon Zero Executive Order for the Ecuadorian Government

COUNTRY OF ECUADOR

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO._______
ENABLING
CITIZENS OF ECUADOR
and the
GALAPAGOS INSTITUTE of VILLAGE ECOLOGIES
TO PROCEED BEYOND THE SCOPE AND RESTRICTIONS OF
CONVENTIONAL BUILDING PERMIT PROCEDURES
FOR THE URGENT PURPOSE OF GLOBAL DEMONSTRATIONS TOWARD
SUSTAINABILITY AND CARBON ZERO DEVELOPMENT

WHEREAS, the overall population of the planet is increasing exponentially while global resources are decreasing; and

WHEREAS, studies over the course of the past decade have resulted in the conclusion that human activities have changed the earth’s composition and atmospheric conditions by increasing levels of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2); and

WHEREAS, these increasing CO2 emissions derived from human activity on the planet are known to contribute to the exacerbation of climate change factors to such an extent that ecosystems are endangered and the sustainability of increased human populations on the planet is now of major concern to all nations; and

WHEREAS, the scientific community has documented the melting of polar caps which threatens coastal communities and the receding of natural glaciers which are essential water sources for growing populations; and

WHEREAS, the scientific community has determined the above phenomena to be a result of rising atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and average global temperature increases; and

WHEREAS, the effects of CO2 emissions on the planet have been observed to be happening faster than originally predicted; and

WHEREAS; these realities require a deliberate and purposeful shift to develop more sustainable and environmentally appropriate means of supporting human habitat to be developed and encouraged in all countries of the world; and

WHEREAS; the depletion in resources, growing populations, and other factors described above dictate that time is of essence to adopt sustainable living and building methodologies to reduce dependency on natural resources, educate the public, and prepare populations for potential and dramatic climate changes in the future; and

WHEREAS; sustainable design principles in building development maximize the potential for efficient management of energy, water resources, material resources, and waste products; and WHEREAS; sustainable design principles minimize nonrenewable energy consumption; utilize environmentally sound products which protect environmental quality; enhance indoor environmental quality and health; support energy independence, and minimize pollution and depletion of natural resources; and

WHEREAS; sustainable building practices also strengthen local economies; promote human health and safety; create higher quality enduring structures; and offer cost reductions in infrastructures, maintenance, solid waste disposal and energy costs; and

WHEREAS; conventional buildings and the operation of same have been deemed by scientist throughout the world to be responsible for between 30% and 50% of the CO2 emissions problem; and

WHEREAS; exploration and development of sustainable and environmentally sound means of living are presently impeded by the limits of current building codes and regulations that do not incorporate sustainable housing conceptions in conventional development and building plans; and

WHEREAS; the progression towards innovation and exploration of alternative self sufficient and environmentally protective building for the benefit of all people is presently inhibited from surfacing in the face of current codes and regulations that control and regulate conventional development and building; and

WHEREAS; some of the needed solutions for more sustainable development cannot even be seen or imagined from inside the confines of existing mechanisms; and

WHEREAS; conventional regulations sometimes, by their very nature, inhibit radically new and different concepts from emerging; and

WHEREAS; new ideas and concepts and inventions are “automatically” discouraged due to regulations and codes addressing only short term protection of the public rather than long term environmental stability; and

WHEREAS; time is now of essence in the process of changing building concepts and living methods of humans to retard the climate change effects, reduce dependancy on natural resources and, at the same time, prepare the populations for the more harsh living circumstance that may prevail in the future; and

WHEREAS; there is a trend throughout the world to modify restrictive building codes in order to encourage innovations and exploration of new methods of building, to create energy efficient, economically beneficial and environmental harmonious environments that are otherwise limited by said codes; and

WHEREAS; conventional code modification procedures require more time to emerge than the scientific community has deemed available before the effects of CO2 emissions are irreversible; and WHEREAS; allowing certain significant and promising projects TO PROCEED BEYOND THE SCOPE AND RESTRICTIONS OF CONVENTIONAL BUILDING PERMIT PROCEDURES FOR THE URGENT PURPOSE OF GLOBAL DEMONSTRATIONS TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY AND CARBON ZERO DEVELOPMENT will expedite innovation to address methods of human living in light of rapid climatic change and diminishing global resources while promoting the safety and welfare of the people of the world; and

WHEREAS; the executive branch of any government has the responsibility and opportunity to lead in this effort by taking a proactive role in developing a sustainable future in the world to enhance the quality of life of all citizenry; and

WHEREAS; Ecuador can demonstrate leadership by incorporating environmentally sustainable practices into local governance to promote preservation of natural resources, energy conservation, elimination of waste and emissions, and diminishment of negative impacts on the environment; and

NOW, THEREFORE, by the authority vested in me as President of Ecuador under the Constitution and laws of this great Country of Ecuador,

IT IS ORDERED: 1. This Executive Order shall promote municipalities and local entities efforts to maximize development and implementation of environmentally sustainable policies and practices. Specifically, all municipalities and local governing entities shall:

a. Allow development projects in Ecuador, that prove to exhibit carbon zero or near carbon zero status, permission TO PROCEED BEYOND THE SCOPE AND RESTRICTIONS OF CONVENTIONAL BUILDING PERMIT PROCEDURES FOR THE URGENT PURPOSE OF GLOBAL DEMONSTRATIONS TOWARD SUSTAINABILITY AND CARBON ZERO DEVELOPMENT;

b. Immediately begin to evaluate and where appropriate, grant permits for projects in Ecuador that prove to exhibit carbon zero or near carbon zero status;

c. Encourage and promote the submission of applications for the purpose of granting interested individuals the authority to engage in authorized sustainable, carbon zero or near carbon zero building activities pursuant to issuance of a building permit.

EFFECT OF THIS ORDER: This Executive Order is effective immediately and shall remain in effect until rescinded. All other Executive Orders or portions of Executive Orders inconsistent herewith are hereby rescinded.

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