Lendlease and its partner Aware Super, a superannuation fund, say the global real estate company’s multifamily portfolio in Boston and Chicago has been verified as “net zero carbon.”
New projects in New York City and Los Angeles are on track to achieve the same goal as construction gets underway. The company achieved net zero through a combination of efficient design to reduce electric usage by making systems operate more efficiently and through the purchase of carbon offsets.
The company reduces resident emissions by focusing on efficient space heating, air conditioning and ventilation, water heating, cooking, water use and treatment, and waste treatment, including building amenities. “We only use carbon offsets for the residual emissions that we cannot avoid,” according to a Lendlease news release.
“Carbon offsets purchased are U.S.-based renewable energy from wind power with social outcomes as a co-benefit,” the release says. “The offset project supports sustainability education and is linked to research and skills training programs aimed at supporting green jobs.”
Lendlease is targeting absolute zero carbon across its global enterprise by 2040, which entails a commitment to no longer purchasing offsets.
Related Stories
| Mar 22, 2012
Public agencies shouldn’t negotiate project labor agreements, says AGC official
When a public agency rather than the contractor negotiates a PLA with unions, it interferes with the right of employers and workers to reach their own agreements on working conditions and benefits, says Steve Isenhart, president of the Associated General Contractors of Washington.
| Mar 22, 2012
Proposed rule would let crane operators get licenses without prior city experience
The Bloomberg administration is considering letting operators of giant tower cranes get their license without requiring that they first run cranes as apprentices in the city for three years.
| Mar 22, 2012
Bill would reintroduce “opt-out” provision in lead paint law
The Lead Exposure Reduction Amendments Act of 2012 (S2148) would restore the "Opt-Out" provision removed from the Environmental Protection Agency's Lead Renovate, Repair and Painting (LRRP) rule in April 2010.
| Mar 15, 2012
New Florida building code establishes flood and storm surge provisions
The new 2010 code establishes minimum design and construction requirements to protect buildings from wind, rain, floods, and storm surges.
| Mar 15, 2012
Illinois city rejects international code due to home sprinkler requirement
Macomb, Illinois aldermen voted to recommend that the city not adopt 2012 international building and residential code standards requiring the installation of overhead sprinkler systems in newly constructed one-family and two-family homes.
| Mar 15, 2012
Tenant advocates propose licensing landlords in New York City
With thousands of New York City rental units posing potential dangers to tenants, city advocates are proposing measures to make landlords improve building safety.
| Mar 15, 2012
Construction industry a big winner in federal small disadvantaged business procurement
Last year, only 5% of federal contract dollars went to small disadvantaged businesses. Construction and facilities support firms were the biggest beneficiaries.
| Mar 15, 2012
ANSI approves new fall protection standards
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has approved two American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) standards addressing fall protection.
