Corporations fall short on climate pledges by failing to embed net-zero actions into operations

Many corporations are failing to implement simple, practical steps needed for them to hit their stated decarbonization goals, according to a survey of more than 300 operations managers across key industrial sectors including construction, energy, and chemicals in the U.S., U.K., and Germany.

The key findings in the survey by ESG software, data and consulting firm Sphera include:

85% of businesses have net-zero strategies, but a majority fail to implement them
Nearly a third of respondents say their firms do not align with science-based emissions targets
40% of operations managers want carbon targets included in their performance reviews

Many respondents reported that responsibility for net zero is too heavily concentrated at the top, with 95% indicating that accountability for net zero lies solely with C-suite executives and the board of directors. Some 42% of operations managers receive little or no encouragement to contribute suggestions on improving the environmental sustainability of business operations.

Yet, the survey found a growing desire among mid-level employees to share responsibility for climate change goals, with 40% of operations managers calling for carbon targets to be included in their performance reviews. The survey also found that 40% of companies now have a public net-zero strategy, and 43% have allotted over 20% extra budget to sustainability and net-zero initiatives.

We offer the following recommendations in the hope that they will help step up the pace of high-performance building reconstruction in the U.S. and Canada. We consulted many experts for advice, but these recommendations are solely the responsibility of the editors of Building Design+Construction. We welcome your comments. Please send them to Robert Cassidy, Editorial Director: rcassidy@sgcmail.com.

| May 9, 2012

International green building speaker to keynote Australia’s largest building systems trade show

Green building, sustainability consultant, green building book author Jerry Yudelson will be the keynote speaker at the Air-Conditioning, Refrigeration and Building Systems (ARBS) conference in Melbourne, Australia.

Stoddert is one of 78 schools spanning 29 states to receive the recognition.

| May 9, 2012

Stoddert Elementary School in DC wins first US DOE Green Ribbon School Award

Sustainable materials, operational efficiency, and student engagement create high-performance, healthy environment for life-long learning.

The City Year transformation took place within the short time frame of one week

| May 8, 2012

Gensler & J.C. Anderson team for pro bono high school project in Chicago

City Year representatives came to Gensler for their assistance in the transformation of the organization’s offices within Orr Academy High School, which also serve as an academic and social gathering space for students and corps members.