Inside our headquarters: How we achieved LEED gold

Commercial buildings account for almost a third of global energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency. It’s why more sustainable, healthier buildings are needed.

Oct. 2, 2023

Biden administration will define zero emissions for buildings

The definition will draw on energy-efficiency guidelines, 100% clean energy usage and a requirement for buildings to generate zero on-site emissions, White House National Climate Adviser Ali Zaidi said.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 29, 2023

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Top 5 stories from Facilities Dive

Top 5 stories from Facilities Dive

By Facilities Dive staff

NREL adds geothermal hybrid system to energy project cost analysis tool

The tool can help facilities owners and operators identify the optimal mix of geothermal heat pump technologies, renewable energy, conventional generation and energy storage, the lab says.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 28, 2023

Canada Green Building Council introduces low-carbon training program for building operators, owners

The initiative seeks to meet a growing demand for skills in retrofits and construction as the country races to meet climate targets. 

By Joe Burns • Sept. 28, 2023

Governors’ coalition plans to quadruple US heat pump installations by 2030

A bipartisan coalition of 25 governors on Thursday committed to reach 20 million heat pump installations across their states by the end of the decade.

By Robert Walton • Sept. 25, 2023

JLL’s division president discusses top healthcare facility concerns

Facility managers deserve a place at the table in the earlier stages of planning renovations, construction, design, sustainability initiatives and more, says Alison Flynn Gaffney.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 25, 2023

EnVerid’s compact ventilation module aims to cut up to 40% of HVAC energy use

The HLR 100C maintains indoor air quality, saves energy and reduces the impact of outdoor pollutants, the company says, adding that designs for Daikin and Trane packaged rooftop units are available, with more to come.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 25, 2023

Microgrids can meet building decarbonization and resiliency goals

Building-scale renewable energy generation, storage and power transfer switches can help facilities managers reduce buildings’ dependence on the electric grid.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 22, 2023

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announces net-zero emissions plan

The 12-point climate action road map outlines 42 measures to meet interim emissions goals by 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 21, 2023

Indoor air quality top of mind for operators, tenants

Recent CDC and ASHRAE ventilation guidance updates, alongside COVID-related public health concerns, have led to a greater focus on building air quality.   

By Joe Burns • Sept. 21, 2023

Retrofits can cut office building emissions by up to 70%: Schneider Electric

New research from the company says its digital building and power-management tools can slash up to 42% of operational carbon emissions, while eliminating fossil fuels can cut an additional 28%.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 20, 2023

SEC Chair discusses delay in climate risk disclosure rule amid public concerns

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler declined to estimate when the SEC will adopt a final regulation, but noted that rule revisions can take between 12 and 24 months. 

By Jim Tyson • Sept. 18, 2023

NREL provides baseline data on building energy use, efficiency upgrade benefits

The federal research center’s new End-Use Load Profiles dataset outlines possible shifts in buildings’ energy consumption under various “what-if” energy efficiency and electrification upgrade scenarios.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 18, 2023

BrainBox AI, Trane Technologies partner on automated HVAC decarbonization controls

The collaboration aims to combine building automation, weather information and occupancy information to reduce buildings’ carbon footprints.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 15, 2023

Cortex unveils automation feature for its building decarbonization platform

Cortex Push seeks to build on the 11% energy reductions the company has already made across its commercial real estate portfolio, a Cortex executive says. 

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 15, 2023

NYC emissions rule proposal offers leeway to building owners falling behind on net-zero compliance

To qualify for the relief, building owners must submit a long-term decarbonization plan, along with their annual compliance report, detailing what kinds of emissions they expect to slash and how that work will be funded.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 13, 2023

Site Technologies secures $10M for property imaging, AI analysis

Its drones, satellites and other property inspection technologies can help managers make building decisions more efficiently, the company says.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 13, 2023

California must ban gas in new buildings, local officials tell governor

A letter 26 local government leaders sent to Gov. Newsom Friday pushes for the use of existing state authority to set "common-sense clean emission measures for buildings."

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 12, 2023

GSA officials doubtful of ability to meet 2045 sustainability goals

U.S. General Service Administration officials are requesting for more regular upfront funding and resources beyond what has historically been available to meet federal sustainability goals.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 11, 2023

Lumen Energy, with $11M in Series A funding, launches automated power purchase agreement software

With its Auto PPA tool, building owners and operators can calculate costs and benefits of on-site solar and other clean energy systems to increase net operating income with zero upfront capital, the company says.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 8, 2023

Joulea to develop air leakage visualizer system in Energy Department project

The project, with $1.5 million in BENEFIT program funding, aims to improve building resiliency and efficiency by detecting leaks faster.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 7, 2023

University of Wisconsin expands solar across Stout campus facilities

A recent 560-panel installation highlights ongoing efficiency upgrades taking place across the public university system.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 6, 2023

Rolls-Royce Holdings names JLL as global facilities manager

As part of a contract slated to begin in February, JLL will oversee operations across 44 sites in six countries.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 5, 2023

SPX Flow’s beehives and compost programs highlight sustainability benefits

The firm’s facility manager says tenant engagement has led to numerous sustainable initiatives and processes, which benefit employees and attract new organizations to the site.

By Joe Burns • Sept. 1, 2023

ICC’s climate resilience initiative expected to aid facilities managers with decarbonization

The International Code Council said the capacity-building program aims to speed up emission reduction efforts by supporting the enforcement and implementation of building codes and energy codes.

By Nish Amarnath • Sept. 1, 2023