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
| Jan 30, 2014
Mayors of 10 metros unite to cut building-related climate pollution
Organizers say combined initiative could cut as much climate-change pollution as generated by 1 million cars every year, and lower energy bills by nearly $1 billion annually.
| Jan 30, 2014
How reverse engineering nature can spur design innovation
It’s not enough to copy nature. Today’s designers need a deeper understanding of environmental nuance, from the biome in.
| Jan 23, 2014
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill-designed Federation of Korean Industries tower opens in Seoul [slideshow]
The 50-story tower features a unique, angled building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) exterior designed to maximize the amount of energy collected.
| Jan 11, 2014
Getting to net-zero energy with brick masonry construction [AIA course]
When targeting net-zero energy performance, AEC professionals are advised to tackle energy demand first. This AIA course covers brick masonry's role in reducing energy consumption in buildings.
| Jan 6, 2014
Green Building Initiative names Jerry Yudelson as new President
The Green Building Initiative announced today that it has named Jerry Yudelson as its president to accelerate growth of the non-profit and further leverage its green building assessment tools, including the highly recognized Green Globes rating system.
| Jan 6, 2014
An interview with Jerry Yudelson, President, The Green Building Initiative
Green building consultant Jerry Yudelson has been named President of the Green Building Initiative and the Green Globes rating program. BD+C's Robert Cassidy talks with Yudelson about his appointment and the future of Green Globes.
| Jan 3, 2014
World’s tallest vegetated façade to sprout in Sri Lanka [slideshow]
Set to open in late 2015, the 46-story Clearpoint Residences condo tower will feature planted terraces circling the entire structure.
| Jan 2, 2014
Measuring whole building energy use among big changes in LEED v4
A new prerequisite in LEED v4 calls for each project to measure whole building energy use, and then share that data with USGBC.
| Dec 26, 2013
WDMA launches project to create ISO-compliant architectural doors
WDMA's National Architectural Door Council has initiated a project to create ISO-compliant Product Category Rules for architectural wood flush and stile and rail doors
| Dec 20, 2013
Can energy hogs still be considered efficient buildings? Yes, say engineers at Buro Happold
A new tool from the engineering firm Buro Happold takes into account both energy and economic performance of buildings for a true measure of efficiency.
