Blog - Page 2 of 17 - New Buildings Institute

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...

New Buildings Institute Welcomes New Senior Fellows

Posted on August 13, 2019 by Webly Bowles

New Buildings Institute (NBI) welcomes five top-level industry influencers as new Senior Fellows. These are experts in advanced energy policy, program implementation, research and education who have helped define the efficient use of energy in the built environment. We recognize...

Making the Transition From Zero Energy to Zero Carbon Building Policies

Posted on July 23, 2019 by Jim Edelson

As the building industry transitions into a new era — one focused on delivering carbon-neutral buildings — building codes will continue to play a critical role. This is the third in a series of blog posts about the transformation occurring within...

Decarbonizing Buildings: A Changing Lexicon

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Jim Edelson

From kilowatts to carbon, the language we use matters. Building sector policies and programs across the nation are in the midst of a critical shift from delivering energy efficiency in terms of kWh, to policies and programs that seek carbon...

Key Takeaways From Recent IECC Code Development Hearings

Posted on June 10, 2019 by Eric Makela

Code officials, architects, builders, engineers and energy conservation professionals gathered last month in Albuquerque for the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)’s Committee Action Hearings. The proceedings were the first step in a lengthy stakeholder process to update the 2021 IECC,...

Building Market Titans Team Up to Create a New Energy Future

Posted on May 28, 2019 by Stacey Hobart

Earlier this month, the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii recorded carbon dioxide levels that surpassed 415 parts per million. That’s the highest level in recorded human history. As the potentially devastating impacts from carbon-fueled climate change loom, many cities and...

2019 Zero Energy Buildings Count Nears 600, New Dynamic Tool Offers Online Access to Project Details

Posted on May 9, 2019 by Stacey Hobart

Every year, New Buildings Institute (NBI) digs into its extensive Getting to Zero Buildings Database and analyzes the information collected from thousands of low-energy projects across the United States and Canada in order to offer the market an official count...

Efficiency and Carbon Reduction Goals Converge at the Built Environment

Posted on April 17, 2019 by Jim Edelson

With mounting evidence that immediate and aggressive action is necessary to address climate change, combined with a lack of leadership on this issue by the federal government, state and local governments are taking meaningful actions to adopt, honor, and meet...

A Small Window of Opportunity to Make Huge Gains in Climate Action

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Amy Cortese

Cities face unrelenting demands on policy priorities. Affordable housing, transportation, economic development, climate action, and other pressing issues compete for limited resources and funds. Now is a moment in time, however, when the opportunity to make significant progress toward carbon...

5 Must Haves to Achieve High Marks in Ultra-low Energy Schools

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Amy Cortese

An increasing number of school districts are investing in ultra-low energy facilities and renewables as a way to save on utility costs and create healthier and more productive learning environments for students and staff. In fact, over 219 school buildings...