JLL’s Scope 1, 2 emissions jump 16% across the Americas in 2023

The company has reduced these emissions by over 20% since its 2018 baseline and is still on track to meet its net-zero targets by 2030, according to its 2023 ESG performance report.

Minneapolis airport unveils plans for geothermal heating, rainwater harvesting in $263M expansion

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport’s Terminal 2 expansion effort will cut 56% of water utility use, 19% of overall heating and cooling energy demand and 62% of exterior lighting energy demand, the airport commission said.

White House creates AI infrastructure task force

AI data centers' land and electricity needs were on the agenda when Biden administration officials met with data center operators and leaders from hyperscalers, AI companies and utilities.

$38.8M earmarked for building decarbonization, energy efficiency, resilience research: DOE

The funding will support next-generation retrofits to improve the building envelope, lighting and HVAC systems, the U.S. Department of Energy said.

SecureAire acquisition will drive energy-efficient air filtration, R-Zero says.

With filters that last two to three times longer, building owners can cut maintenance costs and material waste, boosting overall efficiency, R-Zero’s CEO said.

GM, EVgo plan 400 EV charging stations in metro areas

Many of the flagship stations will be located near amenities such as shopping, dining and coffee shops.

Businesses saved nearly $22B and cut emissions via Better Buildings Initiative, DOE says

Program partners have collectively cut their greenhouse gas emissions by 220 million metric tons since 2011, with over $37 billion extended for energy efficiency and renewable projects since then, per a progress report.

Aging infrastructure, budget constraints weigh on K-12 facilities teams: survey

Older school facilities in need of repairs face stagnant capital improvement budgets, requiring planning actions for asset evaluation, predictive maintenance and long-term replacement strategies, IncidentIQ says.

DOE spurs new building energy codes with another $90M

This round of funding focuses in part on utility and data partnerships. There is a "big interplay" between meter data and building performance standards for existing buildings' energy use, an Energy Department official said.

GSA’s federal coworking pilot needs more accurate data, clearer goals for expansion: GAO

With about half of federal leases slated to end by 2029, the U.S. General Service Administration’s coworking pilot can be an alternative, but the agency must address data gaps and unclear scalability criteria, according to a report.

‘Adaptive’ facilities management can address ‘radical changes’ in work world: Colliers

The industry needs paradigm shifts to “fulfill its broader mission of enhancing productivity and the quality of the workplace experience,” the firm says in a report. 

One Austin sports stadium’s zero waste solution: build a mini MRF

Texas Disposal Systems custom-built the materials recovery facility for a cramped space inside Q2 Stadium to help the facility divert 90% of waste and achieve a key zero waste building certification.

2025 California energy code updates aim to drive heat pump adoption, save nearly $5B in energy costs

If approved, the new building energy efficiency standards are expected to drive 500,000 heat pump installations in the first three years, the California Energy Commission said.

Comcast’s MachineQ targets high-usage sectors with IoT-based power monitoring

The smart energy management system can help operators link energy consumption and asset utilization data, aiding predictive maintenance and sustainability efforts, the company said.

White House calls for stronger labor standards across federal agencies

Agencies are directed to prioritize project labor agreements, voluntary union recognition and workforce development through registered apprenticeships.

CBRE’s Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions drop 24% since 2019

Its scope 1 emissions rose almost 16% since 2022 due to increased mileage across its vehicle fleet, which it looks to fully electrify by 2035, according to CBRE’s 2023 corporate responsibility report.

Oklahoma State University medical campus to use Vicinity Energy district energy system

The system will reduce the need for routine inspections and ongoing maintenance of on-site heating and cooling equipment at the campus, Vicinity Energy’s CEO said.

3 commercial-to-residential conversions receive city government support in Washington, D.C.

Five businesses are also getting grants to open or expand into downtown spaces that have been vacant for at least six months, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced.

Cushman & Wakefield reports 43% drop in Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2019

The company’s efforts to slash emissions included upping its share of renewable energy, cutting energy use and taking on new and more efficient leased space, per the firm’s 2023 sustainability report.

Retail workers hail New York’s new panic-button law

The law, which Gov. Kathy Hochul signed Thursday, mandates better lighting, adequate staffing, employee training and safety measures in stores. Key trade groups opposed the measure. 

Retrofits more effective in cutting operational, embodied carbon emissions than new builds: study

Extending building lifespans to over 70 years and reducing their size by 20% can cut carbon emissions by two-thirds, according to Notre Dame researchers who analyzed more than 1 million Chicago buildings. 

OTI to offer KODE Labs’ AI-driven smart building operating system to its clients

The operating system will help clients automate operations, enhance decision-making and improve portfolio efficiency, OTI says.

Google pilots heat resilience tool in 14 US cities

The tool is equipped with AI-driven object detection and other models that account for characteristics such as how well roofs on buildings reflect sunlight, Google says.

3 steps to mitigate wildfire effects on IAQ

Building occupancy, air filter inventory and measures to manage air intake and exhaust are among the factors to consider, experts say.

Washington hopes to advance clean building standards implementation with nearly $8M DOE grant

The Building Efficiency and Clean Operations Network project aims to train at least 60 fellows to provide energy services to building owners and operators.