Building Decarbonization 101: The Technology, Data, Operations, and Finances of Net Zero Development | Harvard University

Decarbonizing existing and new buildings is a top priority of cities worldwide, from New York to Tokyo. At the same time, companies are seeking more appealing facilities amidst enduring reluctance to office returns from workers. In response, owners, architects, engineers, and real estate professionals are racing to identify technologies, critical data, operating models, and financial cases that enable the success of modern retrofits and designs.

In 2024, building owners, developers, architects, and engineers need to meet new performance mandates and address societal needs for everything from energy savings and carbon emissions reduction to occupant safety, wellness, and increased productivity. Specifically:

• Owners must consider public mandates to decarbonize amidst growing tenant expectations to improve air quality and spatial amenities while also considering the impact of hybrid work on their bottom line.
• Tenants want spaces and technologies that provide teams a reason to come to the office and improve their working experience.
• Architects and engineers must grapple with the crushing demand to redesign existing buildings to meet these new needs while designing future buildings.

Sessions will cover:

• Session 1: An Introduction to Building Technologies, Decarbonization, and the PropTech Landscape
• Session 2: Planning & Energy in Decarbonization
• Session 3: Smart and Efficient Building Development and Sustainability Certifications
• Session 4: Operations, Finances, and Frontiers of Building Technology