flexiblefullpage
billboard
interstitial1
catfish1
Currently Reading

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

Sustainability

Grimshaw launches free online tool to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings

The Minoro tool contains guidance, methodologies, and policies on carbon management.


By Peter Fabris, Contributing Editor | July 18, 2024
Grimshaw launches free online tool Minoro to help accelerate decarbonization of buildings
Courtesy Minoro

Minoro, an online platform to help accelerate the decarbonization of buildings, was recently launched by architecture firm Grimshaw, in collaboration with more than 20 supporting organizations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe.

The platform—minoro.org—hosts the latest guidance, methodologies, and policies on carbon management, linking the resources to a series of actions that can decarbonize new and existing buildings. This is the first time this information has been collated and centralized, according to a news release.

Free to use, the platform hosts global information and specific guidance supporting key regions including the U.K., Europe, U.S. and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Information hosted on the platform has been contributed and reviewed by peers and organizations and will continue to be updated and informed with the latest information with more countries and regions planned to be included.

The tool can filter information from concept to operation, through specific actions or targets such as embodied carbon or procurement, or by responsibility from a client to supplier. The platform enables asset owners, investors, design teams, consultants, contractors and building operators to set targets and develop clear informed actions across every stage of a building life cycle. Responsibilities, and opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and meet targets and ambitions can be clearly identified.

Here is the full press release on the launch of Minoro: 

Minoro, a new online platform designed to help accelerate the decarbonisation of buildings has been launched. Developed by Grimshaw in collaboration with over 20 supporting organisations including World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), RIBA, Architecture 2030, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) and several national Green Building Councils from across the globe, Minoro – minoro.org – hosts the latest guidance, methodologies, and policies on carbon management, linking the resources to a series of actions that will decarbonise new and existing buildings.

An international resource Minoro provides links and access to over 1000 policies, guidance and methodologies, the first time this information has been collated and centralised. With the ability to filter information - from concept to operation, through specific actions or targets such as embodied carbon or procurement, or responsibility from a client to supplier - the platform enables asset owners, investors, design teams, consultants, contractors and building operators, to set targets and develop clear informed actions across every stage of a building life cycle. Responsibilities, and opportunities to reduce carbon emissions and meet targets and ambitions can be clearly identified and actioned.

Free to use, the platform currently hosts global information and specific guidance supporting key regions including the UK, Europe, US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Information hosted on the platform has been contributed and reviewed by peers and organisations and will continue to be updated and informed with the latest information with more countries and regions planned to be included.

“Developed over two years, Minoro not only brings, for the first time, all the key information to help tackle carbon in our buildings together in one place, but will also, importantly, bring teams together to work more effectively, aligning actions and maximising opportunities to avoid unnecessary carbon emissions in building projects,” said Paul Toyne, Sustainability Lead, Grimshaw.

“We know that buildings contribute almost 40% of the global energy related carbon emissions, but equally the route to decarbonising buildings is complex. The opportunity brought by Minoro is to help navigate this complexity and bring building owners and their project teams closer together in the setting of high ambitions and realising the incredible responsibility all stakeholders have to take effective action,” said Roland Hunziker Director, Built Environment, World Building Council for Sustainable Development.

"It's fantastic to see this project take off! Shaped by global expertise and bridging diverse disciplines within the built environment, Minoro is an impressive free resource for professionals across the value chain. It facilitates informed decisions to slash emissions and embodies the collaborative spirit of UKGBC, WorldGBC, and other GBCs. I hope Minoro will help our networks to drive forward climate action like never before!" said Smith Mordak, Chief Executive, UKGBC.

“Architects play a pivotal role in decarbonizing the built environment. Minoro, developed from the collective experience of stakeholders worldwide, supports both newcomers and seasoned professionals in collaborating through a common design and building process that builds on existing industry practice,” said Davina Rooney, CEO, Green Building Council Australia.

“Minoro comes a critical time for our industry. The access to guidelines and positive action, and the responsibility it identifies for all stakeholders in the project life cycle will serve to accelerate the change we need. Equally, the input and support of all the organisations behind its development is evidence of how vital collaborative action is,” said Andrew Whalley, OBE, Chairman, Grimshaw.

About Minoro
Minoro can be accessed via minoro,org. It has been developed over the past two years by Grimshaw and the WBCSD with the support of the WorldGBC. At its heart is the urgent action to address the decarbonisation of buildings, but also the responsibility, of all stakeholders in the built environment, to work collaboratively to turn targets into action. It supports the critical path of early-stage design and business case buy-in, the recognition of national and regional targets, and the implementation of innovation, design and financial incentives to surpass decarbonisation expectations. 

A carbon management toolkit is also available on the platform to help users to track actions, identify opportunities and create a plan. Constantly reviewed and updated, feedback and contributions to Minoro platform can be provided through the feedback link on the website. It has been developed for and with the built environment industry and will continue to be managed as the most reliable platform for the latest policy, guidelines and methodologies to decarbonise buildings.  

Related Stories

Green | Apr 1, 2015

Global wind power installations expected to slow through 2019

After a 20% falloff in 2013, the global wind power industry made a strong comeback in 2014, with a record 51.2 gigawatts installed. But a new report from Navigant Research forecasts a curtailment in growth.

Cultural Facilities | Mar 31, 2015

Pratt Institute to offer first-ever degree in placemaking

As part of its new Urban Placemaking and Management degree, Pratt will offer courses on topics such as "the history and theory of public space" and the "economics of place."

Green | Mar 25, 2015

WELL Building Standard introduced in China

The WELL Building Standard is a performance-based system for measuring, certifying and monitoring features that impact human health and wellbeing, through air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort, and mind.

Higher Education | Mar 23, 2015

Hong Kong university building will feature bioclimatic façade

The project's twin-tower design opens the campus up to the neighboring public green space, while maximizing the use of summer winds for natural ventilation.

Codes and Standards | Mar 12, 2015

Energy Trust of Oregon offers financial incentives for net-zero buildings

The organization is offering technical assistance along with financial benefits.

Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015

AEC industry groups look to harmonize green building standards, codes

The USGBC, ASHRAE, ICC, IES, and AIA are collaborating on a single green code.

Green | Feb 23, 2015

State of the green union, and the next big shift in sustainability

The history of the green movement offers cues that we are on the precipice of another significant shift in the green union.

Codes and Standards | Feb 18, 2015

USGBC concerned about developers using LEED registration in marketing

LEED administrators are concerned about a small group of developers or project owners who tout their projects as “LEED pre-certified” and then fail to follow through with certification.

Multifamily Housing | Feb 18, 2015

Make It Right unveils six designs for affordable housing complex

BNIM is among the six firms involved in the project.

Museums | Feb 18, 2015

Foster + Partners' National Museum of Marine Science and Technology breaks ground in Taiwan

The museum will be home to an aquarium, exhibition space, and waterfront views. 

boombox1
boombox2
native1

More In Category

Green

Global green building alliance releases guide for $35 trillion investment to achieve net zero, meet global energy transition goals

The international alliance of UK-based Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the Alliance HQE-GBC France developed the guide, Financing Transformation: A Guide to Green Building for Green Bonds and Green Loans, to strengthen global cooperation between the finance and real estate sectors.



Products and Materials

Top products from AIA 2024

This month, Building Design+Construction editors are bringing you the top products displayed at the 2024 AIA Conference on Architecture & Design. Nearly 550 building product manufacturers showcased their products—here are 17 that caught our eye.


halfpage1

Most Popular Content

  1. 2021 Giants 400 Report
  2. Top 150 Architecture Firms for 2019
  3. 13 projects that represent the future of affordable housing
  4. Sagrada Familia completion date pushed back due to coronavirus
  5. Top 160 Architecture Firms 2021