Blog - New Buildings Institute

Reflecting on the 2019 Getting to Zero Forum – Optimism, Urgency and Poised for Action

Posted on November 13, 2019 by Ralph DiNola

As urgency around addressing climate change increases, local leaders are working to define near-term actions, including those targeting the built environment, which accounts for 39% of global carbon emissions. Uptake in actions happening across the United States include: a surge...

Tips for Voters In the 2021 IECC Update

Posted on November 8, 2019 by Amy Cortese

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code voting dates are set! Voting begins on Monday, Nov. 18 and ends on Thursday, Dec. 5. If you are a Governmental Member Voting Representative (GMVR), please read through these tips to help ensure it...

Votes Matter for Better Buildings

Posted on October 31, 2019 by Amy Cortese

Building code officials, sustainability officers, builders, efficiency advocates and others are leaving Las Vegas after attending the International Code Council’s (ICC) annual conference and public comment hearings on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Updated every three years, the...

A Must Read: Landreneau’s Roadmap for Cleaner, Stronger Buildings that Help Solve the Climate Crisis

Posted on October 30, 2019 by Stacey Hobart

Reducing carbon pollution and improving resilience in residential and commercial buildings across the United States was the topic of a House Select Committee hearing on the climate crisis last month. The hearing, “Solving the Climate Crisis: Cleaner, Stronger Buildings,” featured...

Getting to Zero With the Passive House Design Standard 

Posted on October 25, 2019 by Mark Lyles

With growing consensus about the economic and social costs of climate change, an increasing number of cities and states have set ambitious carbon reduction goals. When it comes to the built environment, advanced energy codes and policies have proven to...

NBI Helps Decision Makers Prepare for the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) Update

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Amy Cortese

The 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) update is one of the most profound ways states and local governments can improve the comfort and health of residents, reduce costs for building owners and residents, and make progress toward climate action...

Public Buildings Portfolio Management Helps Cities Get on Track to Meet Climate Goals

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Alexi Miller

Hundreds of cities across the country have set bold, aggressive energy and climate goals. Yet most of these communities are not on track to meet their goals, according to the latest City Clean Energy Scorecard, released in July by American...

NBI Releases Zero Energy Performance Targets for New Construction Projects

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Kevin Carbonnier

When targeting zero energy performance in buildings, the first step is typically setting an energy performance target that the design team can aim for. But, setting that target, typically communicated as the project’s energy use intensity (EUI), is not always...

Is Your City and State Ready to Vote on the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code?

Posted on August 22, 2019 by Amy Cortese

State and local government representatives have the power to advance local energy codes and improve the comfort and health of residents by participating in and voting for efficiency proposals in the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) update. But they...

U.S. Conference of Mayors Unanimously Resolves to Support Advancements to the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)

Posted on August 16, 2019 by Amy Cortese

The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) is known for tackling issues of national importance. Climate change is one of those critical issues that the mayors addressed at their 2019 annual meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii. On July 1, 2019, the USCM...

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