“Net Zero” Will Become Baseline, Despite Varied Definitions

Net Zero as a sustainability strategy is rapidly gaining traction in the regulatory environment. We increasingly see it as an option in Housing Authority design requirements for tax credit programs, and we anticipate it will become a requirement in municipal zoning and land use entitlement programs in the future. But what does Net Zero mean? It generally refers to either Energy or Emissions, and though the two are related, they are inherently very different. There is a confusing array of definitions among federal standards and the various sustainability certification programs – even the White House is in the process of establishing one for emissions. A sampling of definitions includes: 

• From the Federal EPA regarding energy – “Simply put, Net Zero means consuming only as much energy as produced, achieving a sustainable balance.” 

• The Federal DOE defines a Zero Energy Building as “an energy-efficient building where, on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the on-site renewable exported energy.” 

• ULI’s Greenprint Community defines Net Zero as “a building portfolio that is highly efficient and fully powered by on-site and off-site renewable energy sources.” 

• Enterprise Community Partners, a nationwide nonprofit focused on addressing the shortage of affordable housing, combines energy and emissions: “A path to zero energy with strategies to help all developments move closer to zero emissions.”  

Lacking a common industry definition, achieving a Net Zero goal will be dependent upon the performance standards and design guidelines of the specific municipal or agency requirements, certification programs, and the owner’s goals and requirements. 

For achieving a Net Zero Energy goal, a project’s site has the greatest influence on the approach, especially for onsite energy generation. Smaller urban sites usually don’t provide sufficient site or roof area needed for the solar or wind energy generation required to offset the building’s energy use. In these situations, purchase of Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC’s) or contribution to a Community Solar program can replace onsite generation and contribute to achieving the goal. Conversely, larger rural or suburban sites can provide the necessary site area needed for solar arrays, wind turbines, or geothermal facilities. 

Net Zero Emissions is primarily achieved by targeting Step 1 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are those released in the operation of the building itself. Designing a highly efficient building envelope and systems results in reduced energy and fuel consumption, thereby lowering carbon emissions. Full building electrification, a topic of legislation across the country, targets elimination of fossil fuels usage and GHG emissions. 

In our view, Net Zero will eventually become the baseline instead of an option, as governments and communities continue to tackle environmental and climate change issues. With buildings producing approximately 40% of the world’s carbon emissions, the design, construction and property management industry must prepare for the challenges ahead in reaching Net Zero targets. Careful – and intentional – planning at the project outset can make Net Zero goals attainable and effective.

At FitzGerald, we believe Net Zero should be part of a larger sustainability plan that benefits the building, the occupant, and the community. 

BUILDINGS: Are Old Offices the Next Housing Solution? ft. Richard Whitney

Are old offices the next housing solution? Richard Whitney, Vice President, sat with BUILDINGS to discuss why converting underutilized offices is an opportunity to address the short supply of multifamily housing. Especially in urban cores, there are numerous buildings that aren’t attracting corporate tenants but could be repositioned as apartments.

We invite you to read the three reasons these properties are ready for a new life as someone’s home—and a look into our conversion project Millennium at Lasalle in Chicago: https://www.buildings.com/architecture/renovation-adaptive-reuse/article/33014826/are-old-offices-the-next-housing-solution

919 W Fulton Breaks Ground

Our team was on-site to officially break ground for 919 W Fulton—a new, 11-story, 541,000 GSF, Class – A office development in Chicago’s Fulton Market. Stay tuned for more updates..

Green Building & Design: Multifamily Environmental Goals ft. Charlie Saville & Mike De Rouin

Director of Sustainability Charlie Saville and Firm President Michael De Rouin co-authored an article in Green Building & Design called How to Ensure New Multifamily Buildings Align with Cities’ Environmental Goals.
 
Dozens of cities across North America have signed on to sweeping climate pledges, many targeting carbon neutrality or net zero emissions—some by 2040, others by 2050. With buildings playing an outsize role in energy-related carbon emissions worldwide, there is no arguing that these goals will forever change the real estate industry. We invite you to read more of Charlie and Mike’s insights on how to combat prohibitive development costs, the impact of this pledge on design and resident experience, and what to look for in the future, in their article linked below:

https://gbdmagazine.com/multifamily-environmental-goals/