Enhancing building decarbonization through performance monitoring

Feature image: The LEED Platinum One Museum Place in Shanghai, China. Photo courtesy of BEE Incorporations.

Feeling the effects of climate change and its devastating impacts on the environment, economies and societies, the world has recognized the urgent need to address the carbon emissions responsible for this crisis. Nations, corporations and communities are increasingly adopting net zero targets, aiming to balance their carbon emissions with carbon removal or offsetting measures. One crucial aspect of this endeavor is building decarbonization, where we focus on transitioning the construction and operation of buildings to low- or zero-carbon emissions.

The building sector contributes to approximately 40% of total CO2 emissions worldwide, making it a significant driver of climate change. As urbanization continues to rise, the demand for energy-efficient, eco-friendly buildings is surging, necessitating a shift toward more sustainable construction and operation practices.

The role of performance monitoring

Building performance monitoring is a cornerstone of successful building decarbonization efforts. It involves consistently tracking and analyzing various aspects of a building’s operation, including energy consumption, emissions and overall operational efficiency. Performance monitoring allows us to identify areas where buildings may be operating inefficiently.

At BEE Incorporations, we have gained significant experience in real-time monitoring through our smart building performance monitoring system. It is integrated with buildings and uses an ESG reporting tool to share real-time insights into indoor environmental quality, energy, water data and more. This type of system helps businesses minimize their environmental footprint and make informed sustainability decisions.

With information on energy usage patterns, facilities teams can pinpoint specific systems or behaviors that contribute to excess energy consumption. This real-time feedback loop promptly addresses deviations from sustainability goals, whether from human behavior or system malfunctions. It also helps prevent long-term inefficiencies by detecting issues that could lead to increased energy consumption or emissions over time.