When it comes to designing new builds or renovations, energy planning is a real challenge — and is often deprioritized in the early design stages, with the focus being on design, engineering, and construction. However, if the planning of energy is...

According to the Department of Energy, 39% of U.S. fossil-fuel emissions come from residential and commercial buildings. Most of this energy is used for space heating and cooling, heating water, and cooking. Emissions can be avoided through...

The availability of housing, and more specifically affordable housing, represents one of the most fundamental and significant challenges currently facing elected officials, community development organizations, and developers across the country. In...

Research shows that people perform better when there is art in the workplace – or classroom. It makes people happier and healthier – and 32% more productive. That’s why there’s a link between the artwork and sustainable building certifications: At...

Wow, it was great to be back in person at USGBC Live in Twin Cities, Minnesota, after months of isolation from the broader USGBC community. In their break-out session, Emerald team members Matt Setzekorn and Abby McDonald shared stories and lessons...

Yesterday kicked off Pride Month, a time when allies rally with their friends, families, and colleagues from the LGBTQIA+ community to celebrate, educate, and mobilize for equity. Some of the first issues that spurred collective action that led to ...

We spend a lot of time working. For many of us, we are working more now than we ever have. During the pandemic, for those of us who were fortunate enough to be able to work remotely, we frequently found ourselves existing in a constant state of...

For several reasons, including significant opportunities for favorable funding/investments, residential projects often pursue sustainable building certifications. Whether projects are new or renovations, mixed-use or residential only, residential...

It is clear that the executive branch is not shy about its stance on climate change and sustainability. With the United States rejoining the Paris Climate Accords in January of this year, and a renewed pressure to take appropriate action to divert...