Codes & Certifications
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Codes & Certifications
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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How Six Affordable Housing Projects Got to Green
Feature Short
Stories of designers and developers who overcame the challenges of building affordable housing that is also green, sustainable, and healthy.
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Treated Wood in Transition: Less Toxic Options in Preserved and Protected Wood
Feature
Following the recent phaseout of CCA, the dominant wood preservative of the last 30 years, the treated wood industry is in major transition. Some current wood treatment technologies present familiar environmental problems, while less-toxic alternatives are just entering the market.
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Get a Whiff of This: The Lowdown on Product Emissions Testing
Feature
Analytical chemistry tools, used together with product testing chambers, are making it possible to "see" product emissions in new ways. Editor Nadav Malin discusses the science behind product emissions testing, the different product certification standards, and what's ahead for this growing field.
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Greening Your Electricity
Feature
Many businesses and homeowners are choosing to buy green power, including renewable energy credits (RECs). This article examines the environmental benefits of green power, including on-site renewables, what REC buyers should know about their purchases, and investing in energy conservation.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Why's That on the Red List?
Explainer
Ever wonder why copper and Neoprene are flagged in some green building red lists and rating systems? Although they aren't the worst offenders, they're flagged for a good reason.
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Imperfect Consensus in Green Building Standards
Explainer
Business rivals find common ground through ANSI, ISO, and other frameworks-but the process isn't perfect.
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Post-Occupancy Evaluations: Ignorance Isn't Bliss
Explainer
POEs tell you everything you ever wanted to know about your buildings. Don't be afraid to ask.
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Safety Sheets Getting New Format—And Some New Data
Explainer
The new Globally Harmonized System for the MSDS will make reporting requirements stricter and should make the forms easier to read.
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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California Targets Formaldehyde in Panel Products
News Analysis
Proposed regulation from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) would drastically reduce the allowable levels of urea-formaldehyde (UF) emissions from composite wood products that are sold, supplied, used, or manufactured in California.
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Lead-Chloramine Connection Strengthened
News Analysis
New research suggests a stronger connection between chloramine as a municipal water treatment and elevated lead levels.
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Carpet Recycling Sees Measured Progress
News Analysis
The Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) recently reported a significant increase in carpet recycling, although some manufacturers are saying that CARE is not doing enough.
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U.S. Mayors Call for Climate-Neutral Buildings
News Analysis
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has called for all new buildings and major renovation projects to be climate neutral by 2030, in a resolution adopted at its June 2006 meeting.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
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Congratulations, Hanley Award Winner Alex Wilson
Op-Ed
EBN founder Alex Wilson is being recognized for his green building thought leadership with the 2010 Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing.
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Plastics Industry Still Shouting "Fire" At Its Own Peril
Op-Ed
The foam insulation industry's united stand against code changes could backfire in the marketplace.
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Climate Change Fatigue? How to Read the IPCC Reports
Op-Ed
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, or IPCC, has been busy churning out report after report. Rather than tuning out, we should be reading closely.
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Three Steps To Make Green Globes Part of the Solution
Op-Ed
An entry-level alternative pushing LEED to get better would be great, but GBI’s Green Globes needs to start by joining the green building community.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Everyday ESG: Real People Share How It’s Done
Webcast
Four experts in ESG representing design, construction, and consulting firms will come together during this virtual roundtable to share their field notes and lessons learned.
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IRA Nuts & Bolts with an Energy Tax Expert
Webcast
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) offers us a once-in-a-generation chance to equitably decarbonize the built environment and prepare communities to weather future climate threats. Will we seize that chance in time? For that to happen, it’s vital that project teams understand the rules well enough to offer and implement the right solutions.
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Selecting Optimized Products for LEED Projects
Webcast
This pragmatic webinar walks you through the v4.1 version of the three Materials & Resources credits that encourage product-related disclosure and optimization.
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On-demand Webinar- Rainwater Management and LEED: Strategies to Protect Ecosystems and Communities
Webcast
In this webinar, we will review the LEED v4 and v4.1 BD+C Rainwater Management credits and discuss how real project teams are approaching and implementing successful management strategies.
Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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