The Big Picture
It’s easy to get caught up in the details—earning one more LEED point or getting that documentation you need for recycled content.
But it’s a lot easier to achieve all the project goals if the owner and the whole project team are in agreement about why you’re putting in all this work in the first place. Stuff like:
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slowing down climate change
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dealing with global water shortages
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avoiding depletion of nonrenewable resources
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preventing public health problems associated with manufacturing
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righting social wrongs
Here we set the scene, providing context that can help get—and keep—everyone on the same page about project goals.
The Big Picture
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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Circular Economy at Scale: Six International Case Studies
Feature Article
These teams are applying radical life-cycle thinking to entire projects—and redefining what building ownership means in the process.
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Can Concrete Save Us? Locking Up Carbon in Building Materials
Feature Article
Concrete is responsible for a huge proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions. A few companies want to reverse this cycle by sequestering carbon in building materials.
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Green Design: What’s Love Got to Do with It?
Feature Article
Beauty, place-making, and even love are motivating many green designers, who see these values complementing core sustainability tenets.
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Three Imperatives to Create the Future of Green Building
Feature Article
The industry will be in a better place a decade from now if we master these skills.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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States Wrestle with Making Net Metering More Equitable
News Analysis
California has blown open a debate about net metering and whether some rollbacks might be needed to ensure a more equitable and resilient grid.
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Leveraging the Pandemic to Reduce Carbon—for Good
News Brief
Lord Aeck Sargent tracked its 2020 carbon footprint. The results were astounding and could be lasting.
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ROI and High Performance: How to Talk the Talk
News Brief
AIA has released talking points for architects to help clients and others understand the return on investment of green building.
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The Federal Plan to Decarbonize Buildings and Increase Equity
News Brief
The U.S. General Services Administration has established two task groups in response to the president’s demands on climate and environmental justice.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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What I Learned on the Way to Enhancing AIA’s Code of Ethics
Op-Ed
Getting stronger sustainability language into the AIA Code of Ethics wasn’t easy.
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Embodied Carbon on a Roll
Blog Post
The carbon that’s emitted when we produce materials and construct our buildings is finally getting the attention it deserves.
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Zero-Energy Buildings for All
Blog Post
There is increasing movement for buildings to reach net-zero energy, but they can't do it alone. Here's how to fix the system.
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Opting Out of Paris Accord Fortifies Global Warming Battle
Op-Ed
By making the administration’s position clear, Trump’s decision unleashed a wave of actions to stabilize the climate.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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