New Buildings Institute Blog

Advance climate action by getting involved now in the commercial 2024 IECC update

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Diana Burk

With buildings currently representing 39% of U.S. carbon emissions, leading jurisdictions recognize the importance of using building codes and performance policies to respond to the effects of climate change and reduce future risks. To keep temperature rise below 1.5 degrees...

The Future We Seek: Equitable and Resilient Buildings and Communities

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Ralph DiNola

For more than 25 years, New Buildings Institute (NBI) has worked collaboratively with industry market actors to promote advanced design practices, innovative technologies, public policies, and programs that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions from the built environment. Our collective...

Net Zero Buildings Week Spotlights Heroes, Resources

Posted on July 14, 2022 by Erin Murphy

During the second Net Zero Buildings Week , June 13-17, over 250 partners (see list below) shared stories, building project examples, and resources about net zero energy and carbon neutral buildings on social media. This year’s theme “Net Zero Heroes” worked...

NBI honors energy efficiency and green building leaders as Senior Fellows

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Susan Harris

New Buildings Institute recently expanded the NBI Senior Fellows program and is excited to announce the addition of eight industry luminaries. With this program we recognize and honor their significant contribution to energy efficiency and carbon reduction in the building...

Building our future workforce today

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Bryce Seymour

Over 100,000 construction industry workers will be needed to electrify all of California’s existing and new construction buildings, and up to 4,900 full-time manufacturing workers, according to a recent study from UCLA’s Luskin Center. By 2045, assuming the state has...

Two influential leaders added to NBI Board of Directors

Posted on June 1, 2022 by Connie Umphress

New Buildings Institute (NBI) enthusiastically welcomes two influential leaders to its Board of Directors this year. Dr. Tina Jayaweera is a Power Planning Resources Manager at Northwest Power and Conservation Council. Susan Rochford is Vice President of Energy Efficiency, Sustainability...

New Zero Emissions Buildings Policy helps jurisdictions lead by example

Posted on May 17, 2022 by Erin Beddingfield

With building construction and operations making up nearly 40% of U.S. carbon emissions, many jurisdictions have made reducing emissions from the built environment a top strategy for meeting climate action goals. The new Model Government Zero Emissions Buildings Policy released...

Future-ready buildings: increase asset value and reduce real estate investment risks by preparing for building performance standards now

Posted on April 18, 2022 by Ralph DiNola

New construction codes have been driving toward net zero performance in jurisdictions around the country but building performance standards (BPS) with similar aims are emerging for existing buildings. Building performance standards are state and local laws that require existing buildings...

New study on electrification costs shows benefits to building owners and society

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Sean Denniston

Building electrification and decarbonization policies are being discussed by cities and states as well as in boardrooms across the country. Just last month, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission revealed a much-anticipated proposal to require public companies to disclose certain...

Using Passive House to fast-track building electrification

Posted on March 29, 2022 by Bronwyn Barry

This guest blog was written by Bronwyn Barry, CPHD, board member of the North American Passive House Network and NBI Senior Fellow. A growing body of research tells us achieving deep carbon reduction targets of 75% or more will require electrification, including...