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
| May 3, 2012
Stay current on green codes at AGC Environmental Conference
Keep abreast of market trends such as 2012 changes to green standards and codes at the AGC Contractors Environmental Conference, June 7-8, 2012 in Arlington, Va.
| May 3, 2012
OSHA reduces fines in Cincinnati casino collapse
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has reduced the number of violations from four to two against four firms it cited earlier this month in the collapse of a casino under construction in Cincinnati.
| May 3, 2012
New York City implements controversial crane licensing requirements
New York City officials announced strict new licensing and testing requirements for all crane operators in New York City to raise safety standards.
| May 3, 2012
Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto
A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
