The ESG Report - From Sustainability to ESG in Construction with Tommy Linstroth
Law School Toolbox Podcast Episode 225: Sustainable Living and Emergency Preparedness (w/Friday Apaliski)
With an unprecedented momentum for the construction of new major projects linked to the shift away from fossil fuels and the development of a low-carbon economy, there is a real focus on construction law issues relevant to...more
The U.S. Department of Energy recently released the first federal blueprint to decarbonize the building sector, which accounts for over a third of the nation’s planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. This plan, developed by...more
Recognising the threat of climate change and the importance of sustainable development, Singapore has made a commitment to establishing a robust framework of environmental and climate change laws and regulations – an...more
In this Insight, first published in PLC, Freya Scott discusses the RICS Sustainability Report 2023, considers some of the barriers to achieving the carbon net zero goal by 2050 and what can be done to overcome these. ...more
The UAE is leading the way in the Middle East in incorporating sustainability and environmental standards in construction and real estate. Ian Bevan and Ejiro Otu discuss that there is still more to be done to incentivise...more
In September, ahead of the Conservative party conference, Rishi Sunak announced a step back from the Government’s net zero policy and targets. This was followed up last week by the Government’s formal response to the Climate...more
On July 31, 2023, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed an executive order ending the use of fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations of city-owned buildings. Although city buildings comprise a small percentage of...more
Since retiring from environmental leadership positions at the World Bank, I have taken on teaching assignments including a course entitled “Circular Economy in the Construction Sector”. The students taking this course are...more
In order to obtain and maintain a green real estate loan, the loan recipient must construct or renovate existing buildings to have minimal impact on the environment. The ultimate goal for green architecture is to achieve a...more
Against the ambitious backdrop set by the Paris Climate Agreement to reach net-0 by 2050, there is a clear drive by corporations to move forward on their environmental, social and governance (ESG) or sustainability...more
The District of Columbia Council continues to push forward legislation to create more affordable housing in the District. The Green New Deal for Housing Amendment Act of 2022 (Green New Deal for Housing), was introduced on...more
In recent years there has been recognition within the UK construction industry of the importance of the reduction of carbon emissions. Major standard forms have responded to market demand and made provision for carbon...more
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser signed two significant pieces of legislation recently to build on the success of the Clean Energy DC Omnibus Act of 2018 and to further help transition the District to a new energy...more
Montgomery County, Maryland, signed Bill 16-21 into law on May 2, 2022, as an amendment to the County's Building Energy Use Benchmarking Law (Benchmarking Law), Article 6 of Chapter 18A of the Montgomery County Code. Bill...more
In this BCLP Insight, Kim Roberts and Freya Scott take a closer look at the King’s College report, “Procuring Net Zero Construction”, based on research led by Professor David Mosey, Darya Bahram, Dr Roxana Vornicu and Dr...more
In 2019, New York City adopted the Climate Mobilization Act, which established carbon emissions caps for buildings larger than 25,000 square feet. More recently, New York became the largest U.S. city to enact a fossil fuel...more
Planning legislation has been framed over many years to grapple with climate change and there is no doubt that there is real impetus at all levels of development to ensure that climate targets are met. In this blog we discuss...more
Senior Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Jan. 9, 2020, released a comprehensive legislative framework to combat climate change targeting net-zero emissions by 2050. The latest in the series of sweeping...more
Last week, Boston released its Climate Action Plan 2019 Update. The Update identifies “priority actions” for the next five years necessary to put Boston on a trajectory towards carbon neutrality by 2050. There’s a lot in the...more
The issue of climate change couldn’t be more topical. But what is “net zero carbon”? Is it just another buzzword and what does it really mean? The UK Green Building Council has this week published its Framework Definition on...more
Developers and landlords faced the first generation of “green building” initiatives with LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification and EPA’s Energy Star programs. Now, the states are ready to embark...more
Sustainable Development Focus - More companies prefer green bonds, carbon taxes - GreenBiz - Feb 7 Companies that are serious about reaching aggressive emission-reduction targets are increasingly turning to green bonds,...more
Sustainable Development Focus - Trump wants to cut programs that help buildings save energy. This new study says they work. Washington Post - Mar 27 New research suggests that programs for improving energy...more
Sustainable Development Focus - Exponential growth in net zero energy buildings predicted for the next two decades - Building Design + Construction - Jan 5 - The global market for products and services...more
Sustainable Development Focus - Dept. of Energy kicks off net-zero energy program for educational sector - Construction Dive - Dec 14 - The U.S. Department of Energy launched on December 6 the Better...more