Expert Columns

It’s gearing up to be another banner year for energy codes across the U.S. The Institute for Market Transformation's (IMT) Cherylyn Kelley covers recent developments and where energy codes may go next.

Real estate actors, certifiers, advocates, and policymakers are increasingly using the term “net zero emissions building.” But, what precisely makes a building net zero emissions? As the U.S. Department of Energy looks for input, this column from IMT (Institute for Market Transformation) explores what you need to know about the proposed definition - and what is missing.

Congratulations to 2023 Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achievers Allegheny College, Community College of Allegheny County, Morehouse College, and University of Virginia on achieving their portfolio-wide energy savings goals. These four partners manage a combined portfolio of more than 19 million square feet and serve over 42,000 students. Learn more about the measures that these institutions took to achieve their goals in this column.  

Part 1 of IMT's "Unintended Consequences & Potential Solutions of Building Decarbonization" uncovered the effects of these efforts on community-based organizations and local governments. In Part 2 of this series, Giulianna Di Lauro explores potential solutions to these unintended harms. Spoiler alert: community leadership is the key!

Not all carbon offsets are created equal, and we need to evaluate them for credibility. Some ways to describe the value that high-quality offsets bring include additionality, permanence, and risk of leakage. In this blog, NRG dives further into how offset projects are evaluated as a credible tool in a company’s ongoing efforts to reduce, avoid, and offset greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate change has become increasingly front of mind, with many organizations looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint and limit their impact on the environment. This blog from NRG explores one "tool in the toolkit" - the purchase and use of carbon offsets, which allow organizations to offset their greenhouse gas emissions by supporting a variety of sustainable projects.

In a big step to bring significant resources to development of a statewide building performance standard (BPS) proposal, Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill 48, the Building Energy Savings Act (SB 48), on October 7. In this column from IMT, dive into what's included in the law and how its approach to BPS could serve as a national model for building decarbonization and grid reliability.

NRG’s latest blog highlights the evolving renewable energy landscape. Learn more about how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping opportunities for businesses. You will explore tax credits, sustainability strategies, and more. Stay informed to take advantage of new opportunities!