Several Major Industries Making Efforts to Meet Net Zero Goals Through Carbon Credits
Set to be held in November, the UN’s Conference of Parties conference (“COP27”) has been set with a goal of seeking clarity and concrete guidelines for Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) players. Last year’s COP26 conference in Scotland ended with 632 of the world’s largest 2000 public companies by revenue announcing plans to achieve Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions. Efforts are being made across…
Nuveen Survey: Investors Want More Information From Companies About ESG Issues
More than 80% of U.S. investors say that companies need to more openly communicate the risks and opportunities that shape their standing as “responsible investments” – and 73% also say they are more likely to invest in a company that shares with investors its plans for effectively managing those factors. Those are among the key…
What Construction Firms Need to Know about ESG
While the environmental, social and governance (ESG) movement started with institutions and financial firms, it has become increasingly relevant for the construction industry. Many project owners and financiers are now requiring construction companies to report on ESG measures because activities completed by contractors are considered part of the owner’s value chain and must therefore be…
Duke Energy Carolinas Requests Rate Review by North Carolina Utilities Commission to Build a Cleaner, More Reliable Energy Future
Duke Energy Carolinas today asked North Carolina regulators to review its rates as the company continues to strengthen the electricity grid to improve reliability for customers and facilitate a cleaner, more secure energy future in a manner that supports economic development across the state. The rate case includes a three-year plan to fund system improvements, including nearly $4.2…
Lowe’s Sets Goal to Reach Net-Zero Emissions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3 by 2050
Company’s net-zero roadmap focuses on reducing impact of its value chain, increasing product efficiency and transitioning to renewable energy sources Lowe’s today announced its goal to reach net-zero emissions across the company’s scope 1, 2 and 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, in accordance with guidelines from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the global body enabling…
Treasury’s Clean Energy Tax Credit Guidance Provides Almost No Clarity
Associated Builders and Contractors released the following statement responding to guidance released today by the U.S. Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service regarding tax credits for private clean energy projects funded by the Inflation Reduction Act conditioned on compliance with prevailing wage and government-registered apprenticeship requirements. “While we are still thoroughly assessing the IRS’ guidance and FAQs, so…
U.S. Green Building Council Pushes for Greater Action and Accountability Following COP27
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is calling for greater action to address climate change following COP27. Even with the new COP27 agreements adopted last week, emission reductions, including those of the building and construction sector which accounts for 40% of energy-based carbon emissions, are not on track to reach net zero by 2050. USGBC…
The Inflation Reduction Act Targets Energy Efficiency Improvements
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was signed into law on August 16, 2022. The provisions included in this law address a wide range of financial efforts targeted at reducing the deficit while providing some tax reductions and incentives. Contractors and building designers for both individuals and businesses can benefit from the additional energy efficiency incentives…
New Research Reveals Embodied Carbon Reductions Now a Top Priority in Concrete Construction
New research released today by Dodge Construction Network reveals that the building industry is actively seeking to reduce the carbon footprint of concrete construction. The data shows that 81% of structural engineers and 69% of contractors working with concrete are tracking the embodied carbon on their projects, and about one third are already actively reducing it. Concrete…
Leeward Renewable Energy Begins Construction of Oak Trail Solar Project in North Carolina
Leeward Renewable Energy (“LRE” or “Company”) announced that construction has commenced on its Oak Trail Solar facility near Moyock, North Carolina. LRE will sell the 100 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy generated at Oak Trail Solar to Verizon Communications under a long-term power purchase agreement. “Verizon is committed to protecting our planet by supporting the…
