Carbon emission legislation prompts commercial real estate to innovate

In response to legislation in New York City, California, Washington, D.C., and other areas, the commercial real estate industry has implemented innovations to boost sustainability.

Among the trends embraced by the industry are mass timber, augmented reality, and modular construction. Modular construction has aided construction firms in using less energy on work sites and reducing waste.

The approval process for modular can vary widely by city and state, which makes the use of this construction method more cumbersome. Local jurisdictions are focusing more on modular, though, so the regulatory process should improve.

Some construction companies have found that they can reduce their carbon footprint by electrifying construction equipment and using green and solar power.