Green Building Law Update

Environmental Law and Sustainability for Business

Archives: greenhouse gas

Greenhouse Gas Data Confidentiality Takes Two Steps Forward

Businesses must protect their data, not to mention monetize it for their benefit, and can do both while at the same time leading the way toward decarbonizing the economy and repairing the world. … Continue Reading

Advantages of Adopting the Model State Indoor Air Quality Act: Prioritizing Human Health Amid Energy Concerns

By Stuart Kaplow on October 22, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, Environmental, GHG, Green Building, greenhouse gas

The quality of the air we breathe is fundamental to our well being if not life itself. With Americans spending nearly 90% of their lives indoors, the importance of healthy indoor air quality (IAQ) cannot be overstated. In response to the growing concerns about IAQ, a Model State Indoor Air Quality Act has just been … Continue Reading

Tenants Monetizing their Greenhouse Gas Emission Data

By Stuart Kaplow on October 15, 2023 Posted in Codes and Regulations, Environmental, GHG, greenhouse gas

We are already working with a broad breadth of businesses, including tenants and landlords, to develop strategies to assist them in taking advantage of this opportunity to monetize their GHG emission data … Continue Reading

Green Building may be our Best Hope to Repair the Planet

By Stuart Kaplow on October 8, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, GHG, Green Building, greenhouse gas

Single shooting climate change is not what the majority of people want… Continue Reading

White House to Define Zero Emission Building

By Stuart Kaplow on October 1, 2023 Posted in Federal, GHG, Green Building, greenhouse gas

The federal government will define what is a “zero emission” building.… Continue Reading

Unplugged Truth: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Charging Your Smartphone

By Stuart Kaplow on September 24, 2023 Posted in GHG, greenhouse gas

To appreciate that calculation in context, global smartphone charging is responsible for 8,050,000,000 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year… Continue Reading

Navigating the Urban Landscape: London’s Low Emission Zone vs. NYC Congestion Pricing

By Stuart Kaplow on September 10, 2023 Posted in City, Codes and Regulations, GHG, greenhouse gas

London's Low Emission Zone and New York City's proposed Congestion Pricing, while coming from very different places geographically and ideologically, represent dramatic strides in urban planning and environmental stewardship. … Continue Reading

Colorado Law Will Lead the Nation in Reducing GHGs from Buildings

By Stuart Kaplow on August 20, 2023 Posted in GHG, greenhouse gas, State

The Colorado building sector will lead the nation in building energy performance standards and GHG emission reduction … Continue Reading

Offsets and RECs: A Powerful Duo for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Repairing the Planet

By Stuart Kaplow on July 30, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas

Offsets and RECs are two powerful and complementary approaches to combating climate change and repairing the planet.… Continue Reading

Greenhouse Gas Emission Disclosures in Real Estate Contracts and Beyond

By Stuart Kaplow on July 23, 2023 Posted in Environmental, GHG, greenhouse gas

GHG emission disclosures in contracts are a response to the new era of environmental consciousness in business… Continue Reading

The Evolution of Environmental Offsets: From Indulgences to Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions

By Stuart Kaplow on June 11, 2023 Posted in Environmental, ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas

Environmental offsets have come a long way since the issuance of indulgences by the medieval church. … Continue Reading

Maryland Releases Draft GHG Regulations to Implement SB 528

By Stuart Kaplow on May 14, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, Codes and Regulations, GHG, greenhouse gas

The Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022 through these GHG emission regulations will undoubtedly shape the state's trajectory by decarbonizing the economy.… Continue Reading

Do You Own Your GHG Emission Data?

By Stuart Kaplow on April 16, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas

Nothing should stop an organization from mitigating the risk associated with its own data safe while monetizing that valuable asset.… Continue Reading

GHG Emissions Poll Provides Strategies for Business

By Stuart Kaplow on April 9, 2023 Posted in GHG, greenhouse gas, Sustainability

Only 14% reported their company today calculates GHG emission data… Continue Reading

Maryland is Leading the Transition to All Electric Buildings

By Stuart Kaplow on March 26, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, Energy, Environmental, ESG, greenhouse gas

There is a move toward all electric buildings as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The state of Maryland is leading the way in this movement, including several local jurisdictions adopting all electric building code laws. All electric building codes require that new construction and major renovations be powered by … Continue Reading

We Need to do Better to Reduce Food Waste

By Stuart Kaplow on February 26, 2023 Posted in Environmental, ESG, greenhouse gas

Upscale compost has become a status symbol with small coffee size bags selling for as much as $25 a bag… Continue Reading

You can Participate in our Survey on GHG Emission Measurement

By Stuart Kaplow on February 5, 2023 Posted in ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas, Uncategorized

Our clients and other stakeholders can use these results as they make their company plans for GHG emission measurement, disclosure, and reduction in 2023… Continue Reading

Questions from our webinar “Does Your Lease Address New GHG Laws?”

By Stuart Kaplow on January 29, 2023 Posted in Climate Change, Environmental, GHG, greenhouse gas

Your lease must be amended to to take into account GHG emissions… Continue Reading

Does Your Lease Need Greenhouse Gas Provisions?

By Stuart Kaplow on January 22, 2023 Posted in Environmental, ESG, GHG, Green Building, greenhouse gas

The aim of this post, about how to repair the planet through leasing, is to set the stage for new ideas… Continue Reading

Ban the Light Bulb to Repair the World

By Stuart Kaplow on January 15, 2023 Posted in Energy, GHG, Green Building, greenhouse gas

In 2023 there is nothing wrong with doing that better than Thomas Edison in 1860, with LEDs, and repairing the planet.… Continue Reading

Reducing GHG Aiming for Net Zero will be the Environmental Issue of 2023

By Stuart Kaplow on January 1, 2023 Posted in Environmental, GHG, greenhouse gas

Decarbonizing of the economy to repair the planet and make your share of the trillions along the way… Continue Reading

Government Proposes Federal Contractors and Their Suppliers Disclose GHG Emissions

By Stuart Kaplow on December 4, 2022 Posted in Federal, greenhouse gas

The Federal government is proposing the Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule, which will require major Federal contractors publicly disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and climate related financial risks and set emissions reduction targets. The implications of this reach far beyond only Federal contractors impacting nearly every sector of the US economy, as contractors calculate … Continue Reading

The “Social Cost of Carbon” is Back

By Stuart Kaplow on October 30, 2022 Posted in Climate Change, Codes and Regulations, ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas

After this blog was posted, on September 21, 2023 the Biden Administration approved the recommendation of the Interagency Working Group on the Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases, directing federal government agencies to consider the social cost of greenhouse gases in federal procurement. On November 11, 2022, shortly after this blog was posted EPA proposed a rule … Continue Reading

Webinar: Are You Ready to Measure and Report Your Building GHG Emissions?

By Stuart Kaplow on August 14, 2022 Posted in ESG, GHG, greenhouse gas

You are invited to join Stuart Kaplow and Nancy Hudes for a live webinar we are presenting this Tuesday, August 16 from 9 to 10 am EST that will provide you with all the information you need to reply to the question “Are You Ready to Measure and Report Your Building GHG Emissions?” Our webinar … Continue Reading