Interest in embodied carbon accounting and smart buildings is growing among commercial real estate professionals, according to a recent survey by the STO Building Group.
There is increasing momentum to account for carbon emissions, with 52% of those surveyed understanding embodied carbon—the carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture, transport, and construction of building materials—together with end-of-life emissions. Forty eight percent will require embodied carbon accounting on future projects.
Smart building technologies are perceived to help with building efficiency. Nearly half of respondents say that one-quarter or fewer of the buildings in their portfolios are “intelligent” buildings. But, 60% plan to incorporate sensors and technologies into their projects to track sustainability measures during the next two years.
Resilience continues to lag behind other concerns. More respondents to this year’s survey (58% in 2019 vs. 45% in 2018) acknowledge that industry standards for resilient building are not adequate. But, only 42% plan to seek external expertise.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 17, 2019
First resilience benchmarks for U.S. communities released
Provides way to evaluate current state of resilience and guidance for areas of improvement.
Codes and Standards | Jan 16, 2019
California mass timber building competition kicks off January 15
Competition will award $500,000 in grants to teams who design innovative buildings.
Codes and Standards | Jan 15, 2019
Hazard mitigation provisions in codes save lives and protect property
New NIBS study finds that adopting 2018 Intl. Codes generate $11 benefit for every $1 invested.
Codes and Standards | Jan 10, 2019
Ontario building first to achieve zero-carbon designation by Canada GBC
Geothermal heating, living wall among notable features.
Codes and Standards | Jan 9, 2019
Policymakers need to act to alleviate affordable housing crunch
Moody’s economist says costs including mortgage rates worsening situation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 8, 2019
Pittsburgh launches task force on construction industry fraud
Focus will be on wage violations.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019
Program uses low-cost sensors to monitor impact of stormwater mitigation systems
University/municipal partnership in Philadelphia aims to improve green infrastructure design.
Codes and Standards | Jan 7, 2019
Washington, D.C., to transition to 100% renewable energy by 2032
Includes measures to reduce emissions from buildings and transportation.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019
Canada’s National Building Code will include climate change obligations
New durability requirements for new buildings in the works.
Codes and Standards | Jan 4, 2019
LEED v4.1 beta registration begins in January
First releases are O+M, BD+C, and ID+C.