Two Sustainability News Updates for Q2 2024 – Metropolis

The U.S. Federal Government Sets the Bar

01 Net Zero

In theory, it seems it would be simple to define what a net-zero building is—a building that uses no nonrenewable energy. But in practice, it turns out to be a bit trickier: If a building is an energy guzzler compared with others in its region and category, but uses solar energy for all its needs, does that really serve the cause of climate-friendly design? Also, how often should a building’s net-zero status be verified, to make sure it’s performing as planned?

The federal government has stepped into this situation to try to clarify what a net-zero building is. Last September the White House proposed a definition that focuses on a building’s energy use (thereby addressing its operational carbon emissions).

The definition, which was open for comments, data, and information from January 9 to March 6, 2024, says that a zero operating emissions building is one that is:

1. HIGHLY ENERGY EFFICIENT: For existing buildings, this means their energy efficiency is in the top 25 percent of buildings with similar uses. New buildings would need to use energy at levels 10 percent lower than the latest IECC or ASHRAE 90.1 model code and have an ENERGY STAR score of 90 or higher.
2. FREE OF ON-SITE EMISSIONS FROM ENERGY USE: The building’s direct greenhouse gas emissions from energy use equal zero.
3. POWERED SOLELY FROM CLEAN ENERGY: All the building’s energy is from carbon-free sources (which can include on-site generation and off-site sources).

When this definition goes into effect, it will help level out policies that currently vary from state to state—giving existing building emissions legislation in California and New York, for example, a baseline to align their goals with.

The Department of Energy has indicated that other factors implicated in carbon emissions, like embodied carbon or refrigerants, will be addressed in future updates to this definition.

Read the full draft definition here.

02 Social Impact

The social impact of the built environment is extremely complex to measure. Currently different aspects of social impact—the diversity of design firms, equity in awarding contracts, the well-being of workers in product supply chains, or the safety of workers on construction sites—are addressed by a mosaic of guidelines, policies, and certifications (see METROPOLIS’s Design for Equity Primer, metropolismag.com/equity).

Recently there have been a few significant developments in this area. SEAM (Social Equity Assessment Method), a real estate certification that launched in 2023, released Version 1 of its standard in February and was then recognized by GRESB as a green building certification scheme, joining the ranks of popular existing certifications like LEED, WELL, and the Living Building Challenge. For the 150 institutional and financial investors as well as 3,000 real estate and infrastructure funds, companies, and asset operators around the world that rely on GRESB, this means that SEAM certification now counts toward their ESG reporting.

Meanwhile, an important new tool for transparency around social impact launched in Europe at the end of last year.

A quarter century after the first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) was published, EPD International has published the first Social Product Declaration (SPD). Created to declare the social impact of rolling stock used by Hitachi Rail, it follows a methodology similar to EPDs and Health Product Declarations (HPDs): First a committee was formed to develop Product Category Rules for measuring the social impact of rolling stock, and then Marzia Traverso of RWTH Aachen University in Germany used these rules to conduct a social life cycle assessment of the product. The results were published in the SPD.

EPDs and HPDs have become mainstream in the building industry thanks to decades of advocacy and adoption by manufacturers, sustainability consultants, and A&D firms alike. The addition of SPDs brings another vital dimension to how we assess the supply chains of buildings.

Learn more about SEAM here.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

This SDG is addressed in the article through the discussion of net-zero buildings and the need for highly energy-efficient buildings powered solely from clean energy sources.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

This SDG is connected to the article’s focus on social impact in the built environment, including diversity in design firms, equity in awarding contracts, and worker safety on construction sites.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

This SDG is connected to the article through the mention of certifications like SEAM and SPD that promote sustainable practices and transparency in assessing the social impact of products.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

The article discusses the need for existing buildings to have energy efficiency levels in the top 25 percent compared to buildings with similar uses.

Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

The article emphasizes the importance of buildings using all energy from carbon-free sources.

Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

The article highlights the goal of having buildings with zero direct greenhouse gas emissions from energy use.

Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization

The article mentions SEAM certification being recognized by GRESB, which indicates progress towards inclusive and sustainable urbanization.

Target 12.6: Encourage companies to adopt sustainable practices

The article introduces SEAM certification and SPD as tools that promote sustainable practices in the built environment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article mentions specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

– Energy efficiency levels of existing buildings in the top 25 percent compared to buildings with similar uses.
– All energy used in the building is from carbon-free sources.
– Buildings have zero direct greenhouse gas emissions from energy use.
– SEAM certification recognized by GRESB for ESG reporting.
– SPD for assessing the social impact of rolling stock.

These indicators provide measurable criteria for assessing progress towards the targets mentioned in the article.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: metropolismag.com

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