Across the Board: How Current and Emerging Building Performance Policies Support ESG, Energy Efficiency, & Decarbonization

Very often, ESG, building performance policy, and energy management are treated as disparate components of the sustainability landscape. This presentation will provide an overview of current and emerging benchmarking and building performance policies across the U.S. and highlight how they intertwine with ESG, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. A key component of the presentation will be exploring building performance standards and illustrating the differences between the laws that focus on emissions versus those that focus on energy consumption. The presentation will also demonstrate how these ordinances connect to larger ESG goals and frameworks, support resource-efficient decarbonization, and rely on cooperation between energy managers, corporate leaders, and other stakeholders. Case studies will include Local Law 97 in NYC, BERDO in Boston, Energize Denver, the Washington State Clean Buildings Performance Standard, and Montgomery County’s Building Emissions Performance Standard. Example scenarios will illustrate how the mandates can be met with energy efficiency and electrification while aligning with and supporting ESG goals. By the end of the session, participants will have a deeper understanding of how building performance policies, ESG principles, and energy management strategies can align to achieve compliance, sustainability, and performance targets.