The Green Building Top 5 - May 27, 2015

How Can Buildings Ever Be Net Zero Let Alone Regenerative?

There is much being written about how buildings can be a big part of the solutions to truly sustainable cities and a big part of this claim hinges on their perceived ability to deliver not only net carbon zero or positive outcomes but other essential ecosystem services as well. Read Full Article

Economics, employees, environment: A recipe for success

Three components critical to business success are economics, employee talent and the environment. These components show up in questions like, Read Full Article

Green Zones: Do Buyers Want Sustainable Buildings?

Last winter, Carroll Gardens resident Laura Mackall didn’t turn the heat on in her home once. “We just didn’t need it,” she said, “And the house stayed between 68 and 70 degrees all winter.” Ms. Mackall lives in a four-story rowhouse that she retrofitted as a Passive House last year. She stumbled upon the notion, which promises as much as a 90 percent reduction in heating and cooling demands, while researching green roofs. Read Full Article

Video Breakdown: Why Utility Owned Rooftop Solar is So Controversial

It’s a polarizing question. On the one hand, supporters say utility-owned rooftop solar will increase access to clean energy, while reducing strain on the grid and saving money for all ratepayers. On the other, opponents say utility rooftop solar programs are expensive and unfair, viewing them as veiled efforts to capitalize on a growing market that threatens the traditional utility business model. Read Full Article

Six Free Sustainability Webinars: Lunch and Learn Sessions by Leonardo Academy

Leonardo Academy is a non-profit organization with deep sustainability experience. Leonardo Academy president Michael Arny was the chair of the USGBC committee that developed the LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) rating system; Leonardo Academy managed the LEED-EB pilot for the USGBC and conducted all LEED-EB certification reviews for the USGBC from 2002 to October 2007.. Read Full Article