Due to our increasing energy needs, the U.S. is (and will be) losing ground on absolute emissions reductions as we decarbonize the electrical grid. We must decarbonize the U.S. electric grid by more than 40 percent by 2050 just to break-even compared to total projected 2025 emissions.
In many cases, building envelope design is mostly a matter of aesthetics and costs. As attention to environmental issues grows, however, sustainability and energy-related concerns play an increasing role in these decisions. The push to reduce urban heat island effects is one of the most prominent of these concerns.
There has always been pressure to improve building codes for construction projects. After a long wait, the 2024 International Building Code finally contains provisions on tornado loadings and how to secure structures when erected.
The author provides an exhibit of BPS tools (many of which are free) that can help your team examine, disclose, and optimize your next building project for energy and operational carbon.
Sustainability involves everyone, especially those in the commercial sector. Each company’s carbon footprint can hurt or help the planet survive climate change. Reimagining energy consumption and usage is essential in crafting a greener future. These are a few ways to optimize your commercial structure to reduce each property’s environmental impact.