Blog

Banks play a significant role in financing the climate crisis, but you have options: ethical banks can choose to finance solutions to address the problems we face. How banking contributes to climate catastrophes (or climate solutions) We can transform the systems that finance the systems that cause climate change. According to the Rainforest Action Network’s […]

Extending lives of existing buildings cuts our carbon footprint ——— Many building professionals and professional organizations, including the U.S. Green Building Council, have come to believe that building reuse and adaptive reuse are positive steps toward achieving LEED certification for a building.[i] These beliefs are based on numerous studies and ample evidence that reuse, renovation, […]

Through previous blog posts, we’ve learned about activating the circular economy in building construction and operations and how the TRUE waste certification framework  can help facilitate this transition. Here follows Part 2 in my series.  Architecture tells a story, of who we were and who we are.Preservation helps us keep these stories close to our […]

The best approach to chipping away at real estate’s 40% share of global carbon emissions is more uptake of net zero strategies. But what strategies are most effective and, more importantly, how do we get to the elusive Scope 3? At the property scale, net zero Scope 1 encompasses a building’s direct emissions. This may […]

This is the first in a series of two blog posts where Clean Power Alliance highlights the impact of local leadership in addressing equity, climate change, and increasing energy resiliency. The first blog focuses on local leadership in bringing clean energy to local communities and the second on how local jurisdictions are decarbonizing buildings through […]

Environmental impacts from the demolition and construction cycle can be mitigated ——— Staggering environmental consequences of demolition and construction debris are leading construction and development firms, as well as government agencies and industry organizations, to advocate for waste reduction and recycling. Total building-related demolition and construction waste in the nation is estimated to be 135.5 […]

Through previous blog posts, we’ve learned about activating the circular economy in building construction and operations and how the TRUE waste certification framework  can help facilitate this transition. I’d like to offer a 2-part series continuing that conversation.  Here is Part 1 of 2.  Part 2 will follow in a few weeks. What is a […]

Seismic fortification of buildings plays vital role in reducing carbon footprint ——— Combatting climate change is becoming serious business in the U.S. and California with ambitious initiatives designed to curb our dependence on fossil fuels that promote global warming. In September, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law sweeping legislation to accelerate the state’s transition to […]

Gaia Development shares how the volume program has been useful for clients. An edited version of this appears on the USGBC National website. The industrial real estate sector is experiencing massive growth. Since 2017, the market size has increased annually by 4%. With the increased awareness of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, industrial developers are […]

As we approach the end of 2022, the sustainability status quo is not enough. Green building requirements in California have made our industry raise the bar, but now we must hold ourselves to an even higher standard.  We at Howard Building Corporation (HBC) joined the green building movement early on and our involvement with USGBC-LA […]

There is a lot to be grateful for in the sustainability world as we head into the Fall and another Net Zero Conference at the LA Convention Center on September 15th. The passing of the timely-named Inflation Reduction Act for one, allocating $369 billion to clean energy & infrastructure projects. This mark of investment on […]

They’re coming together, and not a minute too soon. Multiple drivers are forcing sustainability to the top of the agenda. Climate change, investor focus on ESG performance, broader public awareness pertaining to environmental degradation, and a renewed focus on equity in the built environment are part of a powerful confluence of factors pushing the architecture, […]