Existing building stock challenges decarbonization goals

New construction codes that don’t align with performance standards for existing buildings pose a “serious problem,” said Sustainable Energy Partnerships’ managing director at an ASHRAE conference.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 8, 2023

HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

As the U.S. pledges to make near-zero-emissions buildings the “new normal” by 2030, the housing agency is teaming up with other departments for access to the best available data and research.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 7, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards

Cities are using these levers to meet climate goals and address everything from data centers to building decarbonization.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

House passes CARS Act to halt EPA’s proposed tailpipe emission standards

Proponents of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act have said the environmental agency’s proposal is a de facto EV mandate.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 7, 2023

Cooling cities while reducing emissions: 3 takeaways from UN report

Increasing air conditioning and refrigeration needs threaten to drive up greenhouse gas emissions, pushing experts to recommend more passive solutions in a Dec. 5 report.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 6, 2023

3 communities turning to the dark side with dark-sky retrofits

Reducing light pollution has tourism, sustainability, safety and health benefits, proponents say.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 4, 2023

Detroit joins growing cohort in adopting energy, water benchmarking policy

The ordinance, which requires large buildings to annually report their energy and water use starting in 2024, is a key component of the city’s climate strategy.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 4, 2023

‘COP28 must be the COP of cities’: Local leaders want fossil fuel phaseout, collaboration

Financing for local climate action is top of mind for some city leaders at the summit. C40 Cities’ cochairs demanded in a letter that nations redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 1, 2023

The US could still get to net-zero

The country could reduce nearly 90% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without any Hail Mary innovations.

By Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023

White House unveils national greenhouse gas monitoring strategy ahead of COP28

The plan looks to combine scattered emissions measurement, monitoring and data capabilities across federal and nonfederal entities into a streamlined resource to better support climate action.

By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 30, 2023

Demand for sustainable buildings outstripping supply, JLL says

Rising demand has led to an over 7% rental premium on green-certified office buildings across major U.S. and Canadian markets, with significant variations from city to city.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 30, 2023

As building performance standards gain steam, noncompliant owners face business risks

Some cities respond to policy violations with financial penalties, but green lease clauses and submetering provide other levers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says real estate firm CBRE.

By Joe Burns • Updated Dec. 11, 2023

DOE releases $31M+ in grants for retrofits, infrastructure upgrades

Some cities will use the funds for resilience hubs, while others plan to conduct energy audits and upgrade facilities. Local governments can continue applying for the grants through April 2024.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 28, 2023

4 US cities pledge to combat water woes driven by climate change

They committed to specific actions to address flood and drought risk, joining 12 other global cities in signing onto C40 Cities' new "accelerator" program.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 28, 2023

Without significant interventions, US building emissions will continue to increase

Federal, regional and local government bodies must collaborate to create “consistent and stringent building standards,” a new report says.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 27, 2023

EPA announces $2B for local environmental justice projects

Federal climate funding has been criticized as difficult for less-resourced communities to access. The new grant program includes key elements to counter such challenges.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 22, 2023

$176B plan unveiled to rebuild Northeast rail corridor

Amtrak, states, regional commuter railroads and the U.S. Department of Transportation laid out an ambitious 15-year plan to ready the Northeast Corridor for future growth.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 22, 2023

Office-to-residential conversion costs can be 30% lower than new construction: Gensler

However, only 25% of the office buildings the firm assessed for adaptive reuse were deemed suitable for conversion, according to the analysis. 

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 21, 2023

Plans to get an entire block off the natural gas system take shape in one California city

Albany, California, wants to lay the groundwork for widescale adoption of this emerging building decarbonization approach.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 20, 2023

2 years in, infrastructure law has funded 40,000 projects

The largest portion of 2021 infrastructure law money is flowing to road and bridge construction, according to White House data analyzed by CNBC.

By Julie Strupp • Nov. 17, 2023

What is recycling, anyway?

The definition of recycling is different depending on who you ask. Trade groups, government agencies and industry pros weigh in on what it really means in 2023.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 17, 2023

Biden touts recycling’s ‘critical role’ in fighting climate change, awards $93M in EPA grants

In an America Recycles Day proclamation, President Biden called on businesses and the public to make recycling a priority. He acknowledged the disproportionate impacts of pollution on low-income communities.

By Megan Quinn • Nov. 16, 2023

Electric buses: Boom times and bumpy roads

Manufacturers are struggling to meet the demand spurred by federal funding and programs that encourage transit agencies to shift to zero-emission buses.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 16, 2023

Boston ends efforts to ban fossil fuels in new buildings through state program

Massachusetts’ largest city pursued inclusion in the state climate pilot program, but the mayor reported she got “clear indications” that Boston would not be selected for the last of 10 spots.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 15, 2023

Austin, Texas, releases zero waste plan as population booms

The city’s goal of achieving a 90% diversion rate by 2040 remains ambitious, but Austin Resource Recovery is planning new infrastructure and expanded collections to help bridge the gap.

By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 14, 2023

Biden announces $6B for climate resilience as report warns of ‘insufficient’ adaptation

Most U.S. climate adaptation actions are “incremental” rather than “transformative,” the nation’s preeminent report on climate change says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 14, 2023