The construction industry is increasingly focused on making existing buildings perform like new ones. Deep energy retrofits represent one of the most effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions from the built environment, and a project currently underway in Brooklyn, New York, demonstrates exactly how this approach works in practice. A historic carriage house is being […]
The global building sector stands at a critical crossroads. Buildings account for approximately 40 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions, including both operational energy use and embodied carbon within construction materials. Recognizing this challenge, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has developed Framework Guidelines for Energy Efficiency Standards in Buildings. Scott Foster, Director
The city of Toronto has emerged as a leader in North American building policy by introducing a tiered sustainability framework guiding the construction sector toward net zero-ready performance by 2030. At its heart is the Toronto Green Standard (TGS), a policy instrument using absolute energy targets, mandatory compliance tiers, and progressive timelines to reshape how
Passive House design has emerged as one of the most effective frameworks for achieving ultra-low energy buildings, but its potential extends far beyond simple energy savings. John Sarter, founder of Off the Grid Design in the San Francisco Bay Area, has spent over three decades exploring the intersection of buildings, clean transportation, and renewable energy.
Buildings account for nearly 40 percent of global energy-related carbon emissions, placing the construction and architecture sectors at the center of climate change mitigation efforts. In a revealing interview, Dr. Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice Chair of Working Group III of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Professor of Environmental Sciences at Central European University,
The latest IPCC reports have made one thing unmistakably clear: the built environment must rapidly reduce its carbon footprint. Yet even if emissions stopped tomorrow, the climate is already shifting, bringing more extreme heat, heavier rainfall, and more frequent power disruptions. This twin reality means building professionals can no longer treat mitigation and adaptation as
When designing low-carbon, high-performance buildings, the choice of insulation material carries far more weight than just thermal resistance. Natural insulation materials such as wool, hemp, cork, and cellulose offer a compelling alternative to conventional synthetic foams and mineral wools by combining excellent thermal performance with significant environmental benefits. These materials store carbon rather than emit
Vancouver has emerged as a global leader in the push to decarbonise the built environment, demonstrating how coordinated action across government, industry, and community organisations can produce measurable results. The city’s approach offers valuable lessons for construction professionals, architects, and policymakers worldwide who are navigating the transition toward net-zero buildings. Understanding how alternative building materials
In the world of sustainable building, few stories inspire as much as real homeowners rolling up their sleeves and tackling deep energy retrofits themselves. Mary James, a Passive House expert living in Marin County, California, did exactly that. Her home, once described as leaky and uncomfortable, underwent a remarkable two-phase transformation into an energy-efficient, fire-hardened
The concept of a deep energy retrofit can feel overwhelming, especially for homeowners who are not professional builders. Yet an inspiring example from the Western Highlands of Scotland proves that ambitious energy upgrades are within reach for determined individuals. Es Tresidder, a Passive House consultant by profession but not a builder by trade, took on
