April 3, 2024 (Washington, DC) – Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program, announced the opening of the first public comment period for its draft rating system, LEED v5.
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A team of researchers has designed a new composite decking material that actually stores more carbon dioxide (CO2) than is required to manufacture it, making it a “carbon-negative” option that could help reduce the environmental impact of building construction. The new decking, which meets building codes and is less expensive than standard composite decking, could be available at building supply retailers as early as next summer.
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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) signed onto an international climate declaration during the United Nations Buildings and Climate Forum in Paris last week, described as “a foundational document for international cooperation that will enable progress towards a rapid, fair, and effective transition of the building sector to zero emissions,” according to a HUD announcement.
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Each of the major green building rating systems for the UK, Australia, and the USA have announced a first-of-its-kind alliance aiming to unlock sustainable finance for the built environment. The UK-based Building Research Establishment (BRE), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) will demonstrate the critical role that verification and certification schemes play in supporting ESG reporting.
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As the Biden administration drafts a national definition for zero-emissions buildings, industry stakeholders have until Feb. 5 to provide information for Part 1, which addresses operational emissions, according to a Jan. 3rd news release from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office (BTO).
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An increased frequency of extreme weather events costing the U.S. more than $1 billion over two decades prompted the Department of Energy (DOE) to commission research that assessed how increased energy efficiency can impact building resilience under extreme temperatures. The study, Enhancing Resilience in Buildings Through Energy Efficiency, was published in July and was prompted by DOE’s Building Technologies Office.
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Two up-and-coming window glass technologies could see further advancement in the coming years after the Biden administration announced an initiative that aims to “slash” the costs for energy efficient upgrades in affordable housing. The Affordable Home Energy Shot program aims to cut the costs for energy-related upgrades in half within a decade.
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The federal government estimates about 30% of energy used to heat and cool building in the U.S. goes out the window, which costs home and business owners around $40 billion a year, according to a federal study. Those deficiencies are also why better windows offer big potential benefits as a pragmatic climate solution. A report released by the Department of Energy last year found high-performance windows alone could cut carbon emissions 2% by 2050 and be “instrumental” in helping meet President Biden’s climate goals.
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Last week during the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild conference and expo, White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi announced that the federal government will define what is a “zero emission” building. He described that the new federal Zero Emission Building standard will have a three pillar approach: ensuring energy efficiency; cost-effective renewable energy; and incentivizing electrification.
The embodied carbon of building materials contributes to 13% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. To address this impact, the LEED rating system has established several credits that encourage projects to purchase materials with beneficial lifecycle impacts and low embodied carbon that also promote building inhabitants’ safety, health, and well-being.
Read more at USGBC
World Millwork Alliance (WMA) 54 TH Annual Convention & Tradeshow will hold its’ premier event at the Memphis Cook Convention Center from September 11-15, 2018. WMA will offer Veterans and Students complimentary access to the exhibit hall during Millwork Career Day on Friday, September 14, 2018 during the show hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
WMA welcomes Veterans and Students to explore a career in the millwork industry. Learn from worldwide millwork professionals while viewing the finest millwork products. Meet with industry distributors and manufacturers about the opportunities in a millwork career.
Pre-registration for a name badge is available by completing a WMA Registration Form. Any local Student or Veteran who has pre-registered will pick up their complimentary “Expo – One Day Pass” with a valid student ID or Veteran ID at the WMA registration desk in the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
Veterans must show a Veteran’s Administration (VA) identification card to receive an “Expo-One Day Pass” and to gain entrance into the exhibit hall on Friday, September 14, 2018.
Students must show a valid Student photo I.D. card to receive an “Expo-One Day Pass” and to gain entrance into the exhibit hall on Friday, September 14, 2018.
Pre-registration is open until August 13, 2018; thereafter, registration is onsite at the WMA registration desk in the Memphis Cook Convention Center.
