Climate & Resilience: Page 11


  • Alley with recycLA containers in Los Angeles
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    Cole Rosengren/Smart Cities Dive
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    Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

    The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

    By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023
  • Sign for the US Department of Energy out-front of their headquarters the James Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C.
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    The Bold Bureau via Getty Images
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    DOE allocates $40M for energy audit training

    The funds aim to help states upskill a workforce that will evaluate energy efficiency to help building owners save money and combat climate change.

    By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 22, 2023
  • smart city, smart cities Explore the Trendline
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    jamesteohart via Getty Images
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    Trendline

    Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

    From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • A black and gold United States Environmental Protection Agency sign next to double-glass doors.
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    Sara Samora/Smart Cities Dive
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    EPA picks 11 ‘grantmakers’ to dole out $600M for environmental justice projects

    By selecting community-based organizations as pass-through entities for grants, the Environmental Protection Agency says it is reducing barriers to federal funding.

    By Dec. 22, 2023
  • Gas industry sues DOE over new furnace efficiency rule, citing cost and other concerns

    The new rule will require gas furnaces to be 95% efficient, but the American Gas Association and other stakeholders say it effectively bans a product class and will drive prices higher for many consumers.

    By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2023
  • The James V. Forrestal Building Building, the headquarters of the United States Department of Energy, in downtown Washington, DC at sunset.
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    Silverman Media Services via Getty Images
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    $530M in building code technical assistance grants available from DOE

    The grants will support a wide range of energy code and building performance standards activities, including workforce development, by state, local and tribal governments.

    By Joe Burns • Dec. 20, 2023
  • A hospital covered in solar panels.
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    Adam Eszes via Getty Images
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    Microgrids can drive resiliency, efficiency and profitability: JLL

    Government buildings and healthcare facilities are among those that can benefit most significantly from microgrids, the report says.

    By Joe Burns • Dec. 19, 2023
  • Shot of burnt house and trees from the road
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Senators call for changes to ‘inefficient’ disaster recovery funding program

    The status quo leaves disaster-struck communities in the lurch as they wait for Congress to OK recovery funds, experts said at a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing.

    By Dec. 18, 2023
  • An artistic rendering of a sustainable building representing the concept of corporate goals for net-zero emissions by 2050.
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    To be truly net-zero, buildings must buy 100% renewable energy, global council says

    A globally consistent definition of net-zero buildings is needed, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development says, while market commentators decry carbon compliance ambiguities.

    By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 18, 2023
  • Aerial shot of Manhattan
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    More climate-friendly housing, faster, is the goal of NYC proposal to speed environmental reviews

    Each eligible housing project could save an average of $100,000 and two years of review time, the city estimates.

    By Dec. 14, 2023
  • The Seattle skyline, featuring the Space Needle and skyscrapers.
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    George Dodd via Getty Images
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    Seattle requires large buildings to zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

    As building performance standards gain traction nationwide, Seattle’s policy is the city’s most ambitious plan ever to reduce building emissions, the City Council said.

    By Dec. 13, 2023
  • The Statue of Liberty stands in the foreground as Lower Manhattan is viewed at dusk, September 8, 2016 in New York City
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    NYC overhauls zoning to boost renewables, electrification

    The “City of Yes” initiative, which took effect Dec. 11, is among the most significant zoning changes in New York City's history, the city's chief climate officer said.

    By Joe Burns and Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 12, 2023
  • Aerial shot of an urban area along a river, with bridges connecting development on each side of the river
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    Art Wager via Getty Images
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    For climate resilience, housing is ‘the name of the game’ in this fast-growing US city

    Population is booming in Jacksonville, Florida, but to avoid putting people at increased risk, the city is eyeing paradigm shifts in development patterns.

    By Dec. 11, 2023
  • A technician connects cable on a solar rooftop array.
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    Wichien Tep via Getty Images
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    Warehouse roofs house New Jersey’s largest rooftop community solar project to date

    The two installations will provide more than 1,400 nearby homes with discounted solar energy.

    By Joe Burns • Dec. 11, 2023
  • Interior renovation of an existing building
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    mniebuhr via Getty Images
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    Existing building stock challenges decarbonization goals

    New construction codes that don’t align with performance standards for existing buildings pose a “serious problem,” said Sustainable Energy Partnerships’ managing director at an ASHRAE conference.

    By Joe Burns • Dec. 8, 2023
  • Closeup of a sign reading "United Nations Climate Change COP28 UAE" with blurred groups of people standing in the background
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    Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

    As the U.S. pledges to make near-zero-emissions buildings the “new normal” by 2030, the housing agency is teaming up with other departments for access to the best available data and research.

    By Dec. 7, 2023
  • Michigan representative Tim Walberg sits behind a lectern as he speaks into a microphone during a congressional session
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    Courtesy of Rep. Tim Walberg
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    House passes CARS Act to halt EPA’s proposed tailpipe emission standards

    Proponents of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act have said the environmental agency’s proposal is a de facto EV mandate.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 7, 2023
  • A person on a ladder reaches over to repair an air conditioning unit on a house
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    Brandon Bell/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Cooling cities while reducing emissions: 3 takeaways from UN report

    Increasing air conditioning and refrigeration needs threaten to drive up greenhouse gas emissions, pushing experts to recommend more passive solutions in a Dec. 5 report.

    By Dec. 6, 2023
  • Silhouette of hills and light emanating from faraway buildings under starry night sky
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    Nazar Rybak via Getty Images
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    3 communities turning to the dark side with dark-sky retrofits

    Reducing light pollution has tourism, sustainability, safety and health benefits, proponents say.

    By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 4, 2023
  • A rendering of the CODA Detroit building.
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    Courtesy of OOMBRA Architects
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    Detroit joins growing cohort in adopting energy, water benchmarking policy

    The ordinance, which requires large buildings to annually report their energy and water use starting in 2024, is a key component of the city’s climate strategy.

    By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 4, 2023
  • A person walks in front of a wall reading "United Nations Climate Change" and "COP28UAE."
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    Sean Gallup/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    ‘COP28 must be the COP of cities’: Local leaders want fossil fuel phaseout, collaboration

    Financing for local climate action is top of mind for some city leaders at the summit. C40 Cities’ cochairs demanded in a letter that nations redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition. 

    By Dec. 1, 2023
  • An artistic rendering of a building which is transitioning from fossil fuel use to renewable sources like solar panels
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    Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The US could still get to net-zero

    The country could reduce nearly 90% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without any Hail Mary innovations.

    By Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023
  • President Joe Biden delivers remarks during a climate event.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    White House unveils national greenhouse gas monitoring strategy ahead of COP28

    The plan looks to combine scattered emissions measurement, monitoring and data capabilities across federal and nonfederal entities into a streamlined resource to better support climate action.

    By Zoya Mirza • Nov. 30, 2023
  • A sustainable green coworking office space
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    Imaginima via Getty Images
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    Demand for sustainable buildings outstripping supply, JLL says

    Rising demand has led to an over 7% rental premium on green-certified office buildings across major U.S. and Canadian markets, with significant variations from city to city.

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 30, 2023
  • A view of tall buildings with a solar panel outside.
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    Zu-kuni via Getty Images
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    As building performance standards gain steam, noncompliant owners face business risks

    Some cities respond to policy violations with financial penalties, but green lease clauses and submetering provide other levers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says real estate firm CBRE.

    By Joe Burns • Updated Dec. 11, 2023
  • The Department of Energy (DOE) sign is seen at its headquarters, the James Forrestal Building, nicknamed the Little Pentagon, in Washington, DC.
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    hapabapa via Getty Images
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    DOE releases $31M+ in grants for retrofits, infrastructure upgrades

    Some cities will use the funds for resilience hubs, while others plan to conduct energy audits and upgrade facilities. Local governments can continue applying for the grants through April 2024.

    By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 28, 2023