Celeste Headshot2.jpg

Celeste Smith

Celeste Smith is a manager with the ULI Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate’s Decarbonization and Greenprint Programs.

The real estate industry has typically addressed carbon emissions with strategies such as greater energy efficiency, low-carbon materials, and tenant engagement and cooperation. Now add an even more critical component to the equation—refrigerant emissions. Any property using HVAC (and nearly all do) should be looking at the building’s refrigerants as the next big compliance and cost risk. Leaks, fines, and refrigerant phase-outs are already impacting asset portfolios.
Given the pressing challenges facing real estate globally on advancing building decarbonization, ULI is honored to announce the eight District and National Councils selected to participate in the fifth Net Zero Imperative (NZI) Cohort, joining nearly 30 global communities that have engaged with the program to date. NZI is a multiyear initiative to accelerate decarbonization in the built environment and is a significant aspect of ULI’s work to advance its net zero mission priority.
“NZI on TAP” is a new series that explores the energy and vigor participants experience on-site during Net Zero Imperative (NZI) Technical Assistance Panels (TAPs).
A city renowned for its vibrant culture and sweeping coastal skyscrapers, Miami set the stage for this year’s ULI Health Leaders Network Introductory Forum. Spanning the course of three days, Cohort 8 learned from local practitioners and explored the various ways in which the city marries real estate and land use with health and social equity. The Health Leaders toured historical and contemporary neighborhoods, provoking thoughtful discussion on how Miami development compared to their own local contexts.
This year, global ULI Greenprint real estate members reported a 6.3 percent year-for-year, like-for-like reduction in absolute carbon emissions. This result marks the second year in a row that members have reported a reduction of more than 6 percent in absolute carbon emissions—a testament to ULI Greenprint members’ leadership in making progress on their sustainability goals. In addition to leading by example, members continue to fund ULI resources that support the broader industry’s decarbonization progress.
Given the pressing challenges real estate is facing globally on advancing building decarbonization, ULI is honored to announce that 10 District and National Councils have been selected to participate in the fourth Net Zero Imperative (NZI) Cohort. NZI is a multiyear initiative to accelerate decarbonization in the built environment and is a significant aspect of ULI’s work to advance its net zero mission priority.
ULI is honored to announce two District Councils and three National Councils have been selected to participate in the third Net Zero Imperative Cohort.
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