There is a good option for business and building owners pursuing Net Zero, the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero.

We have blogged much in recent years about Net Zero including the perils of making Net Zero claims and we have been consistent that the best strategy, bar none, for mitigating the reputational risk and legal liability of greenwashing claims, and the like from environmentalists, government and stakeholders is a third party certification of that Net Zero claim. And this is a good one. It is robust and streamlined ..

Yes, the luster is off the rose of Net Zero, but in 2025 there are still large numbers of organizations that will pursue a future that is sustainable.

Following a pilot with nearly 180 buildings, GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero program methodology has been refined, and registration is now live at www.gbi.org.

GBI’s follows principles from the GHG protocols and has been informed by the work of many, including the U.S. Department of Energy’s new definition of zero emissions buildings. GBI’s program simplifies the process, reducing if not all but eliminating the need for scores of consultants in the recognition of Net Zero achievements through two protocols:

• Green Globes Journey to Net Zero Energy (JNZE) is focused on significantly reducing energy requirements in building operations and promoting the use of renewable energy sources. Its goal is to achieve a balance between the energy consumed by building operations and the energy generated from low to zero emission sources like solar, hydro, geothermal, and wind.
• Green Globes Journey to Net Zero Carbon (JNZC) for emissions reduction measures and facilitates efforts to minimize and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions through strategies that leverage low to zero emissions energy sources and other strategies that support life cycle thinking.

All new buildings, major renovations, tenant spaces, existing buildings, and portfolios may participate in the program. For those that meet minimum energy efficiency requirements and minimum renewable energy usage, two levels of recognition are available (.. which is huge because today there are few Net Zero buildings, and at a time of increased scrutiny of sustainability claims, this third party certification allows a building owner to communicate intermediate achievements to third parties).

• Recognized (50-99% reduction in site EUI and/or carbon emissions as compared to baseline) Buildings demonstrate substantial progress toward net zero goals and are eligible for formal recognition items to communicate progress in reductions to tenants, stakeholders, and the public.
• Certified (100% reduction in site EUI and/or carbon emissions) Projects that have achieved 100% reduction in site EUI and/or carbon emissions are formally certified and receive formal recognition.

Buildings that have not achieved the minimum program requirements (.. to be Recognized) are able to publicly describe they are participating in the program on “the Onramp.”

Some have asked, why two protocols? Jurisdictions and reporting schemes vary around the world. In some cases, there’s a need to demonstrate progress in site energy reduction specifically, such as for those municipalities with building energy performance standards (BEPS) requiring EUI reductions. In others, the focus is solely on emissions reductions. Through this program, buildings will receive third party review on their progress toward both energy and carbon objectives.

Of note, this program aligns with the Biden White House’s Zero Emission Buildings definition at the Certified level by requiring significant achievements in energy efficiency and a 100% reduction in the carbon emissions footprint through the application of renewable energy.

The Green Globes Net Zero Calculator provides holistic evaluations, as well as component percentage reduction breakdowns, in key areas:

• Energy reduction from onsite operations.
• Total carbon emissions reduction from baseline.
• Carbon emissions reductions through RECs, offsets, and other sources (i.e., negative carbon).
• Embodied carbon emissions reductions.

The web based calculator supports simplicity, transparency, and continuous feedback. Once an assessment has been ordered and data uploaded to the calculator, GBI will assign a third party Green Globes Assessor to confidentially review and confirm building data and to conduct a detailed assessment of the building using the calculator data. And owner can provide permission for the Assessor to access data and arrange to share relevant documents, such as access to a building’s data in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

GBI has done some other neat stuff in this program. The Baseline Translator provided by GBI enables building owners to convert a baseline from earlier versions of ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC into their required 2019 and 2021 versions respectively, utilizing crosswalk calculations provided by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.

Buildings and portfolios awarded Recognized or Certified under the program must be recertified after three years.

An owner can get started today. Registration for the Green Globes Journey to Net Zero is now live at www.gbi.org. Concomitantly, members of the public are invited to submit input through January 9, 2025, in what is the third public input period using available forms. You should explore the program, familiarize yourself with the requirements, and comment.

Relying on third party verifications like GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero is not just a strategic move to mitigate risks but also a powerful statement for those building owners who believe in sustainability. GBI offers a credible and transparent pathway to Net Zero energy and carbon certification, setting a standard for what’s possible in sustainable building design and operation.