Implementing Building Performance Standards: Consistency is Key
A building performance standard (BPS) provides a powerful solution for cities working to meet climate goals, achieve energy savings and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. As a forward-looking policy for existing buildings, a BPS commits a city or state to a long-term, high-performance standard (i.e. energy or carbon intensity), with interim targets that ratchet up over time. While just one state and three major U.S. cities have passed BPS legislation to date, New Buildings Institute (NBI) is working with an increasing number of jurisdictions that are developing mandatory BPS policies as a way to achieve ambitious energy and emissions reductions targets.