WBCSD and NBI Sign MOU to Advance Net Zero Buildings

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and New Buildings Institute (NBI) have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) formalizing the organizations’ relationship. The agreement signed last month defines how the two organizations will collaborate to advance and promote energy efficiency, enhance resilience and achieve carbon reductions in buildings. This is critically important as buildings account for nearly 40% of carbon emissions globally.

“This partnership creates an important alliance to advance our regional and global collaborative efforts,” said Bill Sisson, WBCSD Executive Director, North America, overseeing WBCSD’s global work on the built environment. “We will jointly accelerate meaningful progress on making buildings part of the climate solution by engaging all stakeholders in the value chain.”

Specifically, WBCSD and NBI are seeking to develop and disseminate effective solutions for full life cycle decarbonization of new and existing buildings and districts. In addition, the collaboration will work to expand the number of businesses and building owners investing in net-zero performance as well as grow capability of the building industry to meet this demand. Other intentions include accelerated adoption of zero-energy and zero-carbon standards and tools across the entire life cycle of buildings and promotion of the Building System Carbon Framework as a tool enabling decarbonization.

“An important aspect of this work is a focus on enhancing social equity, public health, and resilience associated with buildings, energy and energy systems and communication of these achievements,” said NBI CEO Ralph DiNola. “We know WBCSD is the right partner to tackle this issue.”

Both organizations work with a variety of stakeholders including buildings owners, designers, operators, consultants, government officials and businesses with building portfolios. The partnership is intended to engage with the critical market actors to accelerate and scale net zero policies and practices that will dramatically reduce the carbon footprint of the built environment in the United States and share lessons learned across the world.

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About WBCSD

WBCSD is a global, CEO-led organization of over 200 leading businesses working together to accelerate the transition to a sustainable world. We help make our member companies more successful and sustainable by focusing on the maximum positive impact for shareholders, the environment and societies.

Our member companies come from all business sectors and all major economies, representing a combined revenue of more than USD $8.5 trillion and 19 million employees. Our global network of almost 70 national business councils gives our members unparalleled reach across the globe. Since 1995, WBCSD has been uniquely positioned to work with member companies along and across value chains to deliver impactful business solutions to the most challenging sustainability issues.

Together, we are the leading voice of business for sustainability: united by our vision of a world where more than 9 billion people are all living well and within the boundaries of our planet, by 2050. www.wbcsd.org

About New Buildings Institute
New Buildings Institute (NBI) is a nonprofit organization pushing for better energy performance and lower carbon emissions in the built environment to protect people and the planet. NBI is a results-driven, aiming to facilitate the market’s understanding of the relationship between energy and carbon; accelerate market transformation in existing buildings; make the connection between building-scale and grid-scale opportunities for decarbonization; and promote equity, health, affordability and workforce development in all our work. We work collaboratively with industry market players to promote advanced design practices, innovative technologies, public policies and programs that improve energy efficiency. Learn more at newbuildingsin.wpenginepowered.com.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Stacey Hobart, NBI
[email protected]

Julia Mitic, WBCSD
[email protected]