“The big picture doesn’t just come from distance; it also comes from time.” -Simon Sinek Climate change is becoming an increasing concern. The private sector, individuals as well as state, local, and federal governments are seeking to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As the energy used in all buildings, including homes, is cited as a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, how do these entities get an accurate metric on emissions? Is there a way to use this info to address when energy is used in a home? As well as how much home energy consumption can be reduced? Philip Fairey, Deputy Director at Florida Solar Energy Center, and David Goldstein, Energy Efficiency Advisor at the National Resources Defense Council, join us to provide an update on the RESNET Carbon Index. The RESNET Carbon Index is the first-of-its-kind carbon rating index that addresses the critical issue of greenhouse gas emissions stemming from energy use in a home. The index can help with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting and as a basis for green bonds. The existing RESNET HERS® Index already looks at patterns of energy use by the hour of the year. It is a straightforward task to translate the energy profile into an emissions profile using the hourly CO2e emission rates and electricity generation emission projections published by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). All joking aside, it’s about time. David and Philip explain how it is now a straightforward process to calculate the comparative emissions of two houses. For example, the emissions from a new house with, or without, efficiency and solar can be examined to see how much electrification and clean energy can help. Or one can compare a house as-is with how it would look with a deep decarbonization retrofit. LINKS: Philip Fairey on LinkedIn: David Goldstein on LinkedIn: Details on the Carbon Rating Index from RESNET: https://www.resnet.us/about/resnet-carbon-rating-index/ RESNET Infographic on CO2e Index NRDC Article: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/david-b-goldstein/new-tool-measuring-decarbonization Listen to the full episode here.
