THE NEXT ECONOMY -
The reduction in total carbon emissions due to COVID-19 just about equals the annual reduction we need to put in place over the next decade. That’s quite a challenge — and it will require us to examine every aspect of our organizations’ operations.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The ability to not only eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, but actually sequester carbon, would transform buildings from net negative to net positive entities. Here, we examine several approaches making this possible.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
The tremendous work to reduce operational carbon from buildings in recent years can be seen in the rise of net-zero energy buildings. But without a
comparable focus on reducing embodied carbon in construction materials, that work will not lead to the hoped-for mitigation of climate change.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
In the months and years to come, the real estate sector must play a critical role in creating a decarbonized environment — helping society prepare, respond, re-enter and ultimately re-imagine a sustainable future.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
In order to achieve 2030 sustainability goals, company leaders must think beyond "sustainability," and challenge built environment teams to strive for net-positive impacts, net-zero energy and zero waste.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
As a CSO or COO of a company striving for sustainability, what contribution can you expect of your built environment team? That’s the question we address in this first of a series of articles about decarbonization, regeneration and circularity in the built environment.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
When business as usual ground to a halt this year, companies such as Shaw saw the opportunity to innovate to find new ways to help communities and the spaces in which they live and work.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
We spend 90% of our time indoors, and that was before a global pandemic forced many of us to turn our living environments into our offices, schools and gyms. So, what is the key to creating nurturing indoor habitats?
COLLABORATION -
A systems mindset illustrates how we're better together, how we're all connected, how a rising tide lifts all boats. That shift in thinking became evident as we documented the City of Cincinnati’s work to transform itself into a sustainable, "Modern Metropolis."
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
Here, Purpose Built Communities president Carol Naughton discusses how sustainability and designing for resiliency can help to end intergenerational poverty, strengthen economically diverse communities and aid in neighborhood revitalization.
WASTE NOT -
Schott Design’s product exchange program, SchottXchange, goes beyond its carpet
reclamation and recycling efforts on its projects to facilitate the reuse of items within or between buildings, diverting materials from the landfill.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
UNEP’s Innovation for Sustainable Lifestyles Competition sees college-level
entrepreneurs developing solutions in the areas of transportation, building and
food to help the region rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic.
THE NEXT ECONOMY -
As governments and businesses look to rebuilding the global economy
post-pandemic,
a new study from the World Economic Forum (WEF) has found that
‘nature-positive’ solutions can create 395 million jobs by 2030.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
ECOncrete has created a unique line of concrete solutions that enhance the biological and ecological value of urban, coastal and marine infrastructure; while increasing their strength and durability.
COLLABORATION -
The social good relationship platform is donating its services in May and beyond in a bid to reach those affected by the crisis — and seeking corporate donors for the nationwide campaign.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Across the country and around the world, thousands of buildings use FSC certification as a way to ensure that the wood materials used support responsible management of forests, keeping them intact and healthy for the people and animals who depend on them.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
How nice to stop thinking about COVID for a minute and revel in the potential of some truly groundbreaking creations! Here are some of Fast Company’s most recent
list of 26 World-Changing Ideas that we’re especially excited about …
WALKING THE TALK -
Consumers are demanding more from the companies they buy from, and those who don’t adapt to these new standards will be rightfully left behind. B Corps need to set an example by making the triple bottom line more
than a requirement for their certification.
PRODUCT, SERVICE & DESIGN INNOVATION -
A new book, Lo—TEK: Design by Radical Indigenism, highlights centuries-old technologies that provide a powerful toolkit for sustainable architecture and
design in the modern age.
CHEMISTRY, MATERIALS & PACKAGING -
Here, Mary Dickinson, co-director of Perkins&Will's Material Performance Lab, sheds light on the firm’s efforts related to the environments in which we live, work and play; the market drivers for those initiatives; and the challenges and keys to success along the way.