I'm looking to draft some one-page briefs for my consulting engineers to outline what we would like to see in their specs regarding certain materials and systems. For example, letting the plumbing and civil engineers know that we prefer to eliminate PVC pipe and want them to specify alternatives like Polypropylene, cast iron, ABS, etc. The idea... Read more

Hi folks,

I’m sorry to be so last minute with this. LEED v5’s second public comment period ends TOMORROW (Monday, Oct 28). As it currently stands, LEED has eliminated its preferential support for FSC over other forest certification programs and is silent on climate-smart forestry.

I’m hoping that the Climate Smart folks in this... Read more

Hello, All, Is anyone familiar with One Click LCA software and resources?  Similarities/differences from a Tally or Athena approach?  Many thanks!

Welcome to the quiz portion of Protect Your Spec: 14 Strategies. 

Learning Objectives
Upon completing this course, participants will be able to:


Identify ways to ensure continuity between the environmentally preferable materials in a project specification, and the less-than-ideal materials that end up used in the final... Read more

Hi all! I'm very excited to report that we have interest from a developer client in tracking embodied carbon through construction. We have issued construction documents and the construction managment team is begining the process to establish the GMP.

We're looking to use EC3, and/ or ZGF's LCA analysis tool for concrete to look at how we... Read more

Hi all!

NESEA's BuildingEnergy Boston is happening March 28-29 at the Westin in Boston's Seaport. Would anyone like to meet up there? There are a few happy hour-like events we could meet at in the Trade show space or I'm open to other ideas! Let me know if you're interested. Here is more info: https://nesea.org/conference/buildingenergy-... Read more

Hey there, SMEPLs:

Just a reminder that we are on the menu for the next in the Green Gurus Coffee Talk series. 

Please use this link to register

All the SMEPLs are invited to join in the conversation where we talk about things that rumble, squeal, gurgle and spark to our peers in the Design, Construction and Advisory peer... Read more

Hi Fellow GG: I just wanted to make sure everyone saw the great announcement from the White House yesterday about Code updates to address energy efficiency and resilience. It's great to see these kinds of initiatives that hopefully can continue for a few more years. So let's try to take advantage of them (said by someone who lives in Missouri... Read more

Embodied carbon in products and existing buildings. What does LCA tell us about renovation vs. new construction and material choices?

Guiding Questions: 

Curious what people's 'best' experiences or recommendations are for load calculations and energy modeling regarding electrochromic glazing... hoping I can lean on others as it's just now becoming more of a talking point in our market here in Omaha. 

Specific questions including whether load and energy modeling software are separate (... Read more

Hi All,

Structure Tone just released their annual Sustainability, Resiliency, and Wellness Report.

Download a copy here.  https://structuretone.com/sustainability/

I’m curious what people think.

THIS WEBINAR PURCHASE AND REGISTRATION IS CLOSED.

This webinar took place Thursday, January 12th at 2:00pm Eastern (11:00am Pacific)

Free to premium subscribers ($30.00 for non-premium)

Green building product selection is a mess.

With an overwhelming number of green product... Read more

Hello Green Gurus,

We’re happy to see the first round of summit registrations rolling in! We’ve had lots of questions about specific topics for the sessions. As usual, the agenda will be based on topics that are top of mind for you.

Whether you are already registered or not, please fill out the Pre Summit-Palooza Survey to help us... Read more

I was wondering if any design or contractor friend here can kindly share the carbon emission factor of excavation during construction. 

I found a paper that provides energy use rate per cubic meter and associated carbon emission in kgCO2 for different phase of construction such as excavation earth work, pouring and lifting concrete,... Read more

Textiles have some of the worst environmental records of any product found in our buildings. Textile production uses a number of hazardous chemicals and pollutes water; and its environmental impacts often affect our most vulnerable populations.

BuildingGreen favors textiles made using fibers and manufacturing processes that have low... Read more

Gurus -

I'm looking for (or to build) a set of US district energy projects for developer-led mixed-use/residential neighborhoods/districts.  Does anyone have a resource for this or have started something similar?   

I am not a member of IDEA but utilize their site quite often. Any other resources come to mind?  I'd be happy to... Read more