shraeya_headshot.jpg

Shraeya Madhu

Shraeya Madhu is a manager at the ULI Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate and works on Decarbonization thought leadership.

ULI’s Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate has now released the fifth and final installment of its premier primer on achieving net-zero-building carbon emissions through dynamic engagement between owners and tenants. The series explores practical strategies for reducing emissions at both the asset and portfolio levels—highlighting how all parties working together can drive meaningful emissions reductions across all aspects of real estate.
Climate Week NYC, run by the nonprofit Climate Group and held in parallel with the United Nations General Assembly, makes its annual return this September 21–28 with hundreds of in-person, hybrid, and virtual events. This jam-packed week brings together a powerful cross-section of climate leaders, including inspiring activists; visionary artists; and industry leaders in real estate, business, finance, and government.
The new ULI report explores how developers can find both profit and purpose by embracing the potential of existing buildings, illustrated through three case studies that generated tangible value for communities and investors alike.
The United States had record-breaking renewable energy growth in 2024, with renewables—including wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower—and battery storage making up 30 percent of the country’s large-scale power-generating capacity. Real estate is on board, positioned to confront some of the challenges facing clean energy in the U.S., especially as electricity demand is predicted to soar during the next five years.
With a rapidly expanding market, navigating the sea of financing mechanisms is a challenge. These are more than just funding sources. They are strategic tools that channel capital into sustainable projects while also managing environmental risks and delivering financial returns.
ULI’s Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability in Real Estate held roundtable discussions with members of the ULI Americas Sustainable Development Council, the ULI Asia Pacific Net Zero Council, and the ULI Europe Sustainability Council to inform an outlook for 2025. During the discussions, members addressed sustainability topics and issues that are on the rise, why they matter, and what actions the industry should pursue in the future. Based on expert knowledge shared by those who attended, ULI identified five issues that will shape real estate decision-making in the coming months.
As the real estate industry accelerates its net zero journey, reducing embodied carbon has become a critical focus. Embodied carbon represents the carbon emissions tied to material extraction, production, transportation, disposal, and building construction. These emissions account for 11 percent of global annual carbon emissions and up to 50 percent of a building’s total emissions over its lifetime.
Members Sign In
Don’t have an account yet? Sign up for a ULI guest account.