Events

    Making Zero Emissions Buildings the New Normal, A USGBC First Friday Webinar, July 11, 1-2 pm ET

  • 11 July 2025
  • Start time : 01:00 PM
  • End time : 02:00 PM
  • Event Host : U.S. Green Building Council
Making Zero Emissions Buildings the New Normal
Event Description

The idea of zero-carbon buildings is quickly moving from aspiration to expectation, especially for new construction. This session examines the enabling factors making zero carbon buildings possible, how USGBC and our members are leading the way and making zero carbon buildings possible, the current policy and market drivers, and what future developments to watch for.

This course is part of the Greenbuild 2024: USGBC Updates Track - Full Series.

Every day, more owners are committing to zero carbon emission goals, and more buildings are achieving these conditions -- for example, there are well over 100 LEED Zero certified projects around the globe. Making zero-emission buildings a reality has happened through steady and intentional efforts. USGBC, members, and government agencies have promoted and incentivized best practices for buildings –high levels of efficiency, use of renewable energy, and reducing harmful refrigerant leaks, which form the core of zero-emission buildings. Building on this, recent advances and rapid adoption of technologies such as heat pumps, along with the lower cost of renewable energy and decarbonizing grids, have become key factors in creating more zero-emission buildings.

The National Definition for Zero Emission Buildings, local ordinances, and other policies are poised to further accelerate zero-emission buildings. Market forces, led by global policy and investor interests, are influencing increased corporate commitments. Speakers will explain the interplay among these drivers, and new tools like LEED v5, in creating momentum and a broad transformation, and how early efforts are playing out. In light of the proliferation of “zero” and “aligned” terminology in the market, speakers will untangle the key terms and components to aid understanding and accountability.

Achieving zero emissions will take different approaches for existing buildings as compared to new ones, as well as vary by region. Creating carbon reduction plans for buildings and portfolios is becoming critical. The session will highlight the role of governments and nonprofits in supporting quality plans with new resources such as the forthcoming USGBC-ASHRAE guide.

The session also highlights developments on the horizon for zero carbon buildings, namely incorporation of embodied carbon measurement and reduction. Speakers will explain the state of play of efforts to align embodied carbon and whole life carbon approaches.

Objectives

  1. Articulate the core elements for buildings to reduce and achieve zero carbon and zero emissions.

  2. Identify tools and solutions, such as LEED Zero, the ASHRAE-USGBC decarbonization planning guide, and case studies to support zero-emission buildings.

  3. Explain how the National Definition of Zero Emission Building seeks to impact the market and how LEED aligns.

  4. Differentiate terminology used to identify near-zero, net-zero, and zero carbon buildings.

 

  • Host Company/Organization Name
    • U.S. Green Building Council
  • Logistics / Parking
    • Note: This presentation was recorded at Greenbuild 2024, which took place from November 12-15, 2024, at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
  • Event type
    • Online/Webinar

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