December 10, 2024 – GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero (JNZ) supports the pursuit of decarbonization by buildings, projects, tenant spaces, and portfolios by providing benchmarking, third-party review of progress, and certification. Following a pilot with nearly 180 buildings, GBI’s Green Globes JNZ program methodology has been refined and members of the public are invited to submit technical or general input using available forms.
GBI’s Green Globes JNZ program analyzes renewable energy usage along with utility data and/or energy models assessing site EUI impacts and CO2e emissions reductions for a current year versus a baseline year or baseline model.
Benefits of GBI’s Green Globes JNZ program include:
- Documentation of renewable energy use;
- Energy, emissions, and cost savings;
- Support toward regulatory compliance; and
- Enhanced property value.
“We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the industry to help us pilot GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero program,” stated Vicki Worden, President and CEO of the Green Building Initiative. “The program is cost-effective and high value to ensure that all building owners can access it along with the online tools, staff expertise, and third-party assessor review provided by GBI.”
GBI’s JNZ is accessible, providing high value versus cost
The total per asset cost of GBI’s program is in the range of $2,500 to $6,000. A $1,500 per asset registration fee, which is included in the previously cited total cost, provides access to GBI’s online Journey to Net Zero calculator for clients to enter or upload utility data (actuals or modeled). Final assessment with a third-party assessor follows data review by GBI expert staff members, who are also available to assist teams throughout the assessment process. Volume discounts are available for portfolio users.
GBI’s methodology follows principles from the GHG protocols and has been informed by the work of many organizations, including the DOE’s recently released definition of zero emissions buildings. GBI’s JNZ program simplifies certification and 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 reductions 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 GBI’s Green Globes Journey to Net Zero program. For those that meet minimum energy efficiency requirements and minimum renewable energy usage, two levels of recognition are available.
- 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 EUIand/or carbon emissions are formally certified, receive formal recognition.
Buildings that have not achieved the minimum program requirements are on the Onramp.
Public input received by January 9, 2025 will be reviewed by subject matter experts and considered for the continuous improvement of GBI’s Green Globes JNZ programs following procedures found in Public Input Procedures for Non-Standards.
GBI encourages building teams to begin benchmarking their achievements. Project teams may register their buildings, spaces, or portfolios to begin their assessment.
Please direct any questions to info@thegbi.org.