Energy Performance Targets, New Construction and Decarbonizing the Built Environment
Global building floor area is expected to double by 2060, meaning new buildings represent lost opportunities if not built with attention to decarbonization. Establishing clear energy or carbon intensity performance targets at the outset of design focuses project teams on real outcomes instead of predictions.
Embedded in Boston’s Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning Initiative is a set of carbon intensity targets for various building types. The targets set project teams on a path to zero net carbon success and help them report successfully in years ahead under the City’s carbon use disclosure ordinance.
Boston’s ordinances align with the Massachusetts carbon goals and its new Stretch Energy Code. The Stretch Code establishes energy intensity limits for various building types – furthering the notion that clear targets lead to better outcomes.
This presentation will highlight the nexus between state and local decarbonization initiatives, alignment with state energy efficiency and decarbonization support programs and with the projects that emerge to show the value of setting energy and carbon targets in achieving better building outcomes.
Speaker Bio
Kim Cullinane has worked in the green building industry as a champion for sustainable buildings since 2002. She supervises the tri-state Eversource commercial and residential new construction energy efficiency program team and co-chairs the statewide Mass Save New Construction Subcommittee that sets program policy and establishes energy efficiency strategy for commercial Mass Save new construction programming statewide. Along with her Mass Save Program Administrator colleagues, she led the development of one of the most progressive zero net energy utility commercial incentive programs in the nation. She started in the field managing the Massachusetts Green Schools Program, providing grants for solar installations to highly energy efficient new schools and leading the development of the MA version of CHPS (a LEED-like tool for k-12 schools). Kim has a BA in economics from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration from The George Washington University.
Jacob Knowles is the Director of Sustainable Design at BR+A. Inspired by his leadership and vision, BR+A has championed over twenty million square feet of carbon neutral buildings and campuses. His work has resulted in numerous grants and awards, including three AIA COTE Top Ten awards. Most recently, Jacob advised the City of Boston and the State of Massachusetts in the development of zero carbon zoning and a net zero stretch code, so that all future buildings will be carbon neutral.
John Dalzell, AIA, LEED Fellow, is Senior Architect for Sustainable Development at the Boston Planning & Development Agency where he leads and contributes to sustainable development, green building, and climate resiliency policies and programs including the Zero Net Carbon Building Zoning Initiative, Interagency Green Building Committee, Mass Timber Accelerator, E+ Green Building Program, and numerous strategic area planning initiatives.