Focusing on key global cities such as Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai, Tokyo, London, New York, Melbourne and Buenos Aires, the report provides deep insights into the evolving nature of work, highlighting significant shifts in workplace strategy, technology adoption, and employee expectations.

As to key trends, the report underscores a surge in hybrid working models: although the return to office is gaining momentum, 85% of organizations are now prioritizing flexible work arrangements, which is reshaping business districts.

It also identifies AI-driven automation as a major driver of efficiency, with 72% of companies integrating artificial intelligence (AI) tools to streamline operations; smart mobility and AI-driven solutions are transforming urban life and the infrastructure.

Sustainability remains a key focus, with businesses increasingly investing in eco-friendly office spaces and carbon-neutral policies; cities are prioritizing sustainability, inclusivity, and connectivity to build a better future

As well as identifying these key trends, the report reveals three core categories of cities:

• Innovation-led cities (e.g., Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai) are rapidly evolving and heavily investing in innovation and people.
• Steadily evolving cities (e.g., Tokyo, London) are leveraging their size and resources for gradual change.
• Adaptive cities (e.g., New York, Melbourne, Buenos Aires) are showing resilience and adapting to pressures.

Commenting on the findings, Philip Ross, CEO of UnGroup (UnWork, WORKTECH and WORKTECH Academy), stated:

Work is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Organizations must embrace innovation, from AI-powered workplaces to dynamic hybrid strategies, to stay competitive. Our report provides a roadmap for leaders navigating this rapidly changing landscape.

By taking a deeper dive into eight world cities, this report aims to show how a greener, smarter, more inclusive and more connected urban future is being built in specific locations and under specific conditions. Businesses that adapt to these trends, and successfully align technology, culture, and sustainability will be best positioned for long-term success.

Wish You Were Here: Eight World Cities Shaping the Future of Work is available to WORKTECH Academy members (others may join today to access it).

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Each session is 60 minutes. Sessions are approved for 1 CEU for Designers and 1 LU for Architects. Certificates are available post session after completing a 10-question quiz.

Commercial facility management, real estate and design topics are addressed in these NeoCon on-site sessions in the tracks for Workplace/Sustainability/Industry Directions:

Good Leads the Way: United Airlines Headquarters Decarbonization Journey: The renovation and restack of 13 floors at the United Airlines headquarters in Chicago created a hybrid workplace infused with a dynamic energy that reinforces employee pride. This space brings together staff through shared experiences connected to United’s brand story: an airline where Good Leads the Way.

Wellness Real Estate: Supercharging Transformation & Growth: Wellness is emerging as a critical catalyst for growth. This on-site CEU will explore how design that intentionally supports the holistic health of users elevates individual and community well-being and unlocks significant market opportunities. Drawing from Gensler’s research, the session will define and survey a $580 billion U.S. Wellness Real Estate Market and its expansion across the workplace, multifamily residential, hospitality, and retail sectors.

Transforming Buildings into Material Resources: Demolition projects have a significant impact on climate change due to the energy and resources required, as well as the emissions created during the process. Material recovery through deconstruction is an unparalleled opportunity for reducing embodied carbon, while also diverting construction waste, reducing exposure to toxic pollutants, protecting natural resources, and creating green jobs.

How Can Science Make Us All More Creative. Really. In an era where information floods our senses and technology reshapes thinking patterns, the ability to focus has become a precious resource. Our physical surroundings play a key role in enhancing or hindering individual and group creative capabilities. This session explores how scientific research into environmental psychology is leveraged to create spaces that support focus and creativity. From ambient sounds to colors, natural materials, light, and spatial configuration, our environments shape creative potential. Understanding these principles isn’t just about designing better workplaces—it’s about creating environments that help navigate information while maintaining the clarity for innovative thinking.

Virtual sessions in the facilities management track:

FF&E Changes in Sports Spaces: Mercedes-Benz Stadium Clubs: Using case study examples from Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s Field Level VIP Clubs, this panel will take a deep dive into navigating the changing landscape of furniture in public assembly spaces. The dynamic group of experts will discuss client expectations and best practices for specifying the right product for the application – extending beyond aesthetics and considering factors such as durability, mobility, accessibility and functionality. As conversions teams are constantly reconfiguring spaces, the session will address approaches to finishes and features to facilitate versatile, multi-use public environments, and to deliver high quality visitor experiences. This panel will discuss how to champion sustainability and community connections. Panelists will underscore proactive communication across the project’s lifecycle, best practices for engaging complex stakeholder networks and a pipeline for continued client communication after installation and solving for arising issues.

Moving Towards Circularity: A Playbook for Sustainable Furniture Planning & Specifications: Think sustainable furniture planning has to be overwhelming, costly or impractical? Think again! This session empowers facility owners, designers, and specifiers with tools and strategies to simplify sustainability and make a measurable impact–and (gasp!) maybe even enjoy the process.

Discover how informed selections, certified materials, and sustainable practices lead to smarter choices that boost durability, extend furniture life, and keep items out of landfills–while saving money and improving budget efficiency. We’ll guide you through RFPs, procurement, and change management, transforming these steps into powerful tools for creating healthier spaces and minimizing environmental harm.

Whether you’re tackling large-scale projects or refining your specification process, this session offers practical strategies to achieve financial savings. Leave with fresh ideas, useful tools, and the confidence to make impactful decisions that save resources and create lasting value.

The Industry Directions, Sustainability and Wellness tracks feature these sessions:

Behavior by Design: Can Design Make Us Better People?: Beyond aesthetics, well designed environments impacts everyone and enables us to enjoy: Improved wellbeing, business and medical outcomes; reduced isolation loneliness and crime; safe neighborhoods and strong communities. Conversely, bad design can interfere with all of these. Data collected in & on spaces reveals correlations between spatial design and human behavior. Can designers tune design for desired human behavior? Should we? Who decides? This session will present projects and research that illustrate the outcome of spatial design on its occupants and the potential for design-orchestrated behavior. The session will invite audience members into discussion on the implications for the possible future of design.

Building Products Selection & Procurement: The release of LEED V5 this year represents the boldest major update for materials and products in over a decade. The material selection landscape is changing each day, and those designing as well as specifying finishes, furniture, flooring, etc. are placing a critical lens on the process taken to affect change in the built environment. This session will cover what’s new for V5 and how to maximize points in the new rating system. You will hear from USGBC staff and members of the LEED Technical Advisory Group who helped launch the new rating system. USGBC will discuss the Building Product Selection & Procurement credit, which is rooted in the impact areas of LEED Version 5. Members of the Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group will address the ways in which the criteria areas, which have been intentionally aligned with the Mindful Materials Common Materials Framework, will impact the industry from the perspective of those designing, specifying and manufacturing.

Creating Long-Term Value from the Experience Design Process: When architecture, interior design, technology, signage, and service design are coordinated separately, the result is a fragmented experience for users. And as organizations expand, this siloed approach to design results in a broader sense of inconsistency, affecting trust, loyalty, and satisfaction. The solution to this fragmentation and inconsistency is experience design: an integrated, human-centered, place-oriented approach that brings all design disciplines together. While many organizations are going through the process of experience design, they are missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: how to maintain that value over time. The key? Experience design guidelines that turn experiential thinking into a set of actionable and adaptable outcomes. This session explores how both organizations and designers can create, implement, and continuously update experience design guidelines to maximize long-term ROI.

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For decades, IFMA has recognized and championed the business case for energy efficiency — highlighting its role in enhancing U.S. economic competitiveness, reducing environmental waste and strengthening national security.

Consumers and businesses alike rely on Energy Star ratings when making informed decisions about appliances and equipment. Eliminating this publicly funded resource without consulting the industries and individuals who depend on it is shortsighted and irresponsible. Dean Stanberry, immediate past chair of IFMA

Facility managers face the realities of energy management every day. Commercial buildings are among the largest consumers of electricity in the United States, making them key targets for energy-saving opportunities. Facility managers not only reduce operational costs through energy-efficient strategies but also educate building occupants on best practices and emerging technologies.

Energy Star is not just for U.S. households — it’s a global benchmark with far-reaching influence across commercial facilities of every type. From HVAC systems to lighting, life safety equipment and manufacturing tools, Energy Star provides independent, trusted confirmation of quality and efficiency. Facility managers, building owners and employers depend on this program to maintain healthy, sustainable workplaces that support core business functions. Michael V. Geary, CAE, President & CEO of IFMA

IFMA says it remains committed to collaborating with policymakers and industry stakeholders worldwide to promote efficiency, innovation and sustainability in the built environment.

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We have identified five major shifts emerging in 2025 that will reshape and simplify building management. The facility management industry is maturing into a strategic cornerstone for operations, and these trends will showcase how the role will address cybersecurity, labor shortages, sustainability, compliance, and energy efficiency.

Increased facility cybersecurity through collaboration with IT and digital partners 

Cybercrime increased by 75% in 2024 and is expected to continue rising in 2025. Increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals are looking for any way to access the systems of corporations and infrastructure providers. Breaches can range from ransom attacks targeting corporate operations to more critical attempts to infiltrate payment and financial systems. 

Facility managers working with IT to prioritize digital security will protect their operations. Implementing secure-by-design systems limits access by layering security measures, timely software updates, and isolating operational technology from broader networks. Keeping software up-to-date will be essential to combat these risks. This includes ensuring patches are up to date on all IoT edge devices and critical building infrastructure systems such as HVAC, lighting, access control systems, and other equipment that might not traditionally be considered inviting to hackers. 

Labor gaps will lead to consolidation, outsourcing and technology adoption

While facilities management is vital, the industry is experiencing a significant labor challenge. This gap is expected to widen further as fewer young people enter the field, putting more pressure on the already strained workforce, which is retiring in large numbers​.

Adopting smart energy initiatives to attract tenants 

Managing energy resources wisely, whether turning to renewable sources or adopting technology that allocates energy to address real-time conditions, can also be a selling point for office spaces. Research shows that employees in green offices are 15% more productive, which has heightened the demand for eco-conscious workplaces. In addition to contributing to environmentally friendly goals, 69% of people prioritize working in greener environments, pushing the demand for organizations to seek more eco-friendly office spaces. 

In response, building owners will continue investing in upgrades beyond traditional improvements. From innovative building technologies that enhance energy efficiency, like intelligent lighting, to renewable energy installations, such as solar panels, these features will help attract tenants to office spaces that are up for lease. These sustainable upgrades reduce the environmental footprint and create a more productive and attractive work environment. Office buildings that embrace energy-efficient systems and eco-friendly designs will become desirable for tenants seeking long-term, cost-effective solutions.

Navigating and complying with new regulations

2025 will bring many new climate regulations for buildings globally. While larger sustainability teams may have the resources to stay ahead of these requirements, smaller teams could struggle to balance operations while working to understand unclear regulatory demands. Surveys show that only 25% of organizations are ready for upcoming regulations and reporting. 

Many building owners are navigating the uncertain landscape of upcoming regulations. Understanding and implementing strategies to meet compliance will take up more of the facilities and energy teams’ limited time. However, those who seek technological solutions that support energy reporting demands will be in a better position to handle any changes in the regulatory climate. Being proactive will allow teams to benefit from the efficiencies and lower costs of software designed to track and manage energy costs. 

Preparing for the potential of rapidly increasing energy costs 

The reality of digitalization drives the increasing need for global data centers worldwide. This surge draws increasing attention to their energy consumption and carbon impact, pressing the adoption of more sustainable solutions.

In response, facility managers are consolidating resources and increasingly outsourcing key functions to manage day-to-day operations effectively​. However, despite these strategies, the gap in skilled labor combined with rising demand calls for rethinking traditional operations. Industry leaders recognize the importance of investing in comprehensive training programs to develop the next generation of professionals. Like many labor problems throughout history, people will need technology to help close the gap. Leaders in outsourced operations will embrace new technology to empower the few to do more.

The heightened energy usage has already prompted a shift towards innovations like hybrid cooling systems and AI-integrated infrastructure, which will continue to evolve in 2025​. These advancements will take center stage as industry leaders recognize the critical need to align data center growth with sustainable energy practices.

As a result, building owners and facility managers may see their energy costs increase, and it will continue to be essential to maintain efficient operations through the use of traditional sustainability solutions as well as software solutions. As we move through 2025, cybersecurity, labor shortages, sustainability, increasing regulation, and the need to reduce energy consumption will be at the top of everyone’s priority list. 

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State-based armed conflict is identified as the most pressing immediate global risk for 2025, with nearly one-quarter of respondents ranking it as the most severe concern for the year ahead.

Misinformation and disinformation remain top short-term risks for the second consecutive year, underlining their persistent threat to societal cohesion and governance by eroding trust and exacerbating divisions within and between nations. Other leading short-term risks include extreme weather events, societal polarization, cyber-espionage and warfare.

Environmental risks dominate the longer-term outlook, with extreme weather events, biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, critical change to Earth systems and natural resources shortages leading the 10-year risk rankings. The fifth environmental risk in the top 10 is pollution, which is also perceived as a leading risk in the short term. Its sixth-place ranking in the short term reflects a growing recognition of the serious health and ecosystem impacts of a wide range of pollutants across air, water and land. Overall, extreme weather events were identified prominently as immediate, short-term and long-term risks.

The long-term landscape is also clouded by technological risks related to misinformation, disinformation and adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Mirek Dušek, managing director, World Economic Forum, stated:

Rising geopolitical tensions and a fracturing of trust are driving the global risk landscape. In this complex and dynamic context, leaders have a choice: to find ways to foster collaboration and resilience, or face compounding vulnerabilities.

Fractured systems, fragile futures

The report, which draws on the views of over 900 global risks experts, policy-makers and industry leaders surveyed in September and October 2024, paints a stark picture of the decade ahead. Respondents are far less optimistic about the outlook for the world over the longer term than the short term. Nearly two-thirds of respondents anticipate a turbulent or stormy global landscape by 2035, driven in particular by intensifying environmental, technological and societal challenges.

Over half of respondents expect some instability within two years, reflecting the widespread fracturing of international cooperation. Long-term projections signal even greater challenges as mechanisms for collaboration are expected to face mounting pressure. Societal risks such as inequality and societal polarization feature prominently in both short- and long-term risk rankings. Rising concerns about illicit economic activity, mounting debt burdens and the concentration of strategic resources highlight vulnerabilities that could destabilize the global economy in the coming years. All these issues risk exacerbating domestic instability and eroding trust in governance, further complicating efforts to address global challenges.

All 33 risks in the ranking increase in severity score over the longer term, reflecting respondents’ concerns about the heightened frequency or intensity of these risks as the next decade unfolds.

Mark Elsner, head of the Global Risks Initiative, World Economic Forum, remarked:

From conflicts to climate change, we are facing interconnected crises that demand coordinated, collective action. Renewed efforts to rebuild trust and foster cooperation are urgently needed. The consequences of inaction could be felt for generations to come.

A decisive decade: Collaboration as the key to stability

As divisions deepen and fragmentation reshapes geopolitical and economic landscapes, the need for effective global cooperation has never been more urgent, asserts the report. Yet, with 64% of experts anticipating a fragmented global order marked by competition among middle and great powers, multilateralism faces significant strain.

However, turning inward is not a viable solution. The decade ahead presents a pivotal moment for leaders to navigate complex, interconnected risks and address the limitations of existing governance structures. To prevent a downward spiral of instability — and instead rebuild trust, enhance resilience, and secure a sustainable and inclusive future for all — nations should prioritize dialogue, strengthen international ties and foster conditions for renewed collaboration, concludes the report.

Read the Global Risks Report 2025 at WEF, and follow the conversations at the WEF Annual Meeting on the event site.

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Jasmine Davenport, EPA Senior Advisor for Climate Justice, remarked:

EPA’s Indoor Air in Schools program stands as a beacon of hope, ensuring every child breathes clean air in their learning environment, advancing environmental justice by prioritizing health equity and fostering safer, healthier schools for all communities.

As part of the celebration, EPA and the grantees heard from leaders from the School District of Philadelphia (SDP) on their efforts to date to improve air quality, reduce pollutants, and reduce building costs. District leaders and school staff are already noting better attendance and school performance in buildings that have undergone upgrades.

Oz Hill, Deputy Superintendent of Operations at the School District of Philadelphia, commented:

We are grateful to the EPA for their investment to improve air quality in schools, like Philadelphia, and across the nation. The School District of Philadelphia is strategically working to upgrade HVAC systems and focus on expanding energy-saving initiatives, reducing emissions, and enhancing indoor environments across the district as we work to become the fastest improving, large urban school district.

The five grantees will soon begin their work to monitor and reduce indoor air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions at schools from kindergarten through grade 12  (K-12) in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities.

These grants to protect children’s health are made possible through the Biden-Harris Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate action and environmental justice in history. These projects will help schools develop and implement comprehensive indoor air quality plans through training, education, capacity building and research and demonstration projects.

The following organizations received awards:

• The University of Utah will support the development of indoor air quality management and greenhouse gas reduction plans for schools in urban and rural areas in Utah and Nevada, as well as with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in Wyoming. This will be accomplished through energy efficiency assessments of school buildings, indoor/outdoor air pollutant monitoring, demonstration of effectiveness of air pollution reduction strategies, development of an IAQ school phone app, community engagement, training, educational activities, and by providing indoor air quality and greenhouse gas reduction guidance to schools.

• The American Lung Association will deploy the Clean Air School Challenge to raise awareness, educate, build capacity, increase implementation, and recognize the efforts of schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities nationwide as they implement comprehensive indoor air quality and greenhouse gas management plans.

• The New York State Department of Health and Health Research will provide capacity building in indoor air quality and greenhouse gas reduction in disadvantaged and Tribal schools throughout New York State and additional states across the country. The twoorganizations will draw on past experience to enable hundreds of disadvantaged and Tribal schools in New York to adopt sustainable IAQ management plans to make air quality improvements and greenhouse gas reductions that will improve the health and performance of many of New York’s 1.6 million disadvantaged students plus teachers and school staff.

• The Go Green Initiative will partner with the National School Boards Association and their state affiliates to provide education and training for school staff, administrators, and school board officials involved in improving school indoor air quality and reducing climate pollution across all 50 states, as well as providing targeted, intensive technical assistance and capacity building in Tribal and low-income school districts in all 10 EPA regions.

• The U.S. Green Building Council’s Center for Green Schools will build capacity among school district staff in low-income, disadvantaged and Tribal communities to establish indoor air quality management and greenhouse gas reduction plans. This work builds on long-running and successful support that the Center for Green Schools has provided to hundreds of school district staff, who collectively serve 9.3 million students. The program places direct emphasis on making capacity building and training activities more accessible to school district staff serving low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities.

Background

Approximately one-sixth of the U.S. population attends or works in roughly 130,000 schools around the country and many of these schools do not have the resources and support needed to effectively prevent or solve indoor air quality problems. In fact, half of all K-12 students attend schools that do not have indoor air quality management plans or programs in place. Air quality in schools is of particular concern because children’s developing organ systems are often more sensitive to environmental stressors, children are frequently more heavily exposed to toxic substances in the environment than are adults, and children breathe more air in proportion to their body weight than adults.

There is substantial evidence that comprehensive management of indoor air quality in schools improves student academic performance and attendance, reduces the spread of airborne illnesses like COVID-19, lengthens the lifespan of building systems, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions from schools while providing significant cost savings through lower energy consumption. The $34 million in grant funding the EPA is announcing today will help highly qualified organizations in the field provide much-needed support to schools in overburdened communities across the country to put in place comprehensive indoor air quality management programs.

Learn more about the Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution at Schools. This page will be updated in the future with details on how schools can connect and partner with the grantees.

Learn more about how to improve IAQ at Schools.

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According to the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), FM has become “data-driven,” and new AI-powered technology offers “enormous potential” for the future of the industry. And not a moment too soon, as FM professionals continue to be challenged by budget constraints, staff shortages, and an ongoing focus on making their buildings and facilities more sustainable. The sheer pace of all this change can be dizzying, and top of mind for FM leadership headed into next year will be how to turn AI’s theoretical promise into tangible solutions.

5 ways AI can empower FM professionals

Here are 5 powerful ways FM professionals can use AI to drive value and transformation in the industry:

1. Integrate AI with IoT to generate data-driven insights and power predictive maintenance

The Internet of Things (IoT) represents a network of interconnected sensors that capture data and help provide insights that improve decision-making, especially when it comes to the future health of various assets. As Deloitte explains, FM professionals can use IoT devices to gather data from multiple sources (remote diagnostic tools, historic performance, field reports, etc.) and conduct AI-enabled analysis to understand their network more deeply. Other research from Deloitte indicates that implementing IoT for predictive maintenance and asset monitoring leads to a 20–30% reduction in maintenance costs. By getting ahead of problems before they arise, facility managers can better direct resources and reduce unnecessary repairs.

FM Pro Tip: Start with a pilot program focusing on critical equipment to demonstrate quick wins. Then, once ROI is proven, gradually expand to other areas.

2. Deploy an AI-driven field service management (FSM) system that can automatically assign technicians to tasks based on multiple variables

Historically, assigning field service technicians has been a manual process prone to human error. When techs don’t have time to finish a job it can quickly tank productivity across the board, leading to employee burnout and frustrated customers. But with AI, field service techs can be autonomously dispatched based on real-time data, preferences, and proximity, thereby optimizing routes and reducing inefficiency costs. Recent research shows that 80% of high-performing field service teams use AI, and that automation can significantly increase employee/customer satisfaction scores.

FM Pro Tip: Use your FSM solution to dispatch in a small department or region first to test-and-learn how AI-assigned technicians compare to your current back-office operations.

3. Infuse AI into CRM systems to create a 360-degree view of each customer

 As customer expectations continue to evolve, there is far less tolerance nowadays for downtime. To get more proactive, FM professionals use AI to analyze their CRM data to uncover usage patterns, track reporting on equipment health, and create a bespoke customer profile that triggers preemptive service notifications. When customers don’t have to initiate contact, service teams spend less time on conflict resolution and more time building relationships. According to Forrester, customer-obsessed organizations reported 41% faster revenue growth, 49% faster profit growth, and 51% better customer retention than those who aren’t customer-obsessed.

FM Pro Tip: To help convince leadership to infuse AI into CRM, explain how customer service teams can scale faster by handling more issues, without sacrificing the quality of care.

4. Introduce AI-powered training programs to upskill technicians continuously and encourage professional growth

Given the myriad issues that could go wrong with a building at any moment, retaining employees with institutional knowledge is a big priority for facility managers. Studies have shown that it’s far more cost-effective to upskill current employees than to hire/onboard new talent, and AI can help level up technicians by providing critical on-the-job training. On average, teaching an employee a new skill is one-third of the cost of onboarding a new employee, according to the same research. Techs can also receive AI-driven feedback after completing assignments, helping to foster continuous improvement and boost morale.

FM Pro Tip: Implement short, targeted AI-driven training modules technicians can complete on company time. This allows them to learn specific skills as needed, keeping their knowledge current while minimizing disruption to their daily tasks.

5. Analyze energy usage patterns with AI to reduce environmental impact

This year, the Department of Energy released a comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2050. Given this new imperative, FM professionals are rapidly updating their building information modeling (BIM) with AI-powered tools for a more comprehensive view of their sustainability targets, helping further reduce waste, decrease energy consumption, and optimize operations.

FM Pro Tip: Implement small, data-backed changes to your energy usage in different departments to see if there is a direct impact on output and overall cost.

Unlocking the value of AI

AI integration is crucial for boosting efficiency and sustainability in facilities management. It is not just a trend; it’s a transformative shift that enables professionals to anticipate needs and streamline operations.

As you explore these strategies, consider how each AI application can be tailored to your unique environment. The path to effective AI adoption begins with a commitment to continuous improvement and a willingness to innovate. By investing in these technologies today, you are not only enhancing your operations but ensuring that you are equipped to meet tomorrow’s demands.

About the author

Anand Subbaraj is the CEO and co-founder of Zuper, a provider of solutions designed to modernize and scale forward-looking field service businesses. With more than 17 years of experience in technology, including 13 years at Microsoft, Anand is an expert in big data, cloud computing, and SaaS. He is committed to pushing the field service industry forward through the use of intelligent automation and by staying connected with customers to understand and solve their most pressing challenges.

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The Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) program, initiated and funded by the ASHRAE Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization, is an international certification that validates the competency of decarbonization professionals to assess, analyze, and develop effective and sustainable strategies to reduce or eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of buildings. This certification, developed in a record 11 months, enables industry professionals to demonstrate to peers, employers and building owners competency in critical building decarbonization job tasks.

Since the program’s launch earlier this year, the CDP has been the most applied-for ASHRAE certification, highlighting its importance and relevance in today’s building and energy sectors.

2024-25 ASHRAE President M. Dennis Knight, P.E., BEMP, Fellow Life Member ASHRAE, stated:

Decarbonization is essential to our global sustainability goals, and ASHRAE is committed to empowering professionals with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead the charge. The Certified Decarbonization Professional program is not just a milestone for ASHRAE, but a much needed tool for the industry as we work toward a net-zero future.

The CDP certification program is designed for professionals who are responsible for decarbonizing new and existing buildings. Eligibility requirements include education and work experience, a code of professional conduct and passing a rigorous certification exam validating competency in building decarbonization job tasks across eight domains, which include decarbonization drivers, project planning and development, construction and renovation, passive and active efficiency, facility management and distributed energy resources.

ASHRAE’s Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization provided the vision and resources to make this certification possible. The Center supports ASHRAE’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions in the built environment through a range of initiatives, including education, research and the development of innovative tools and resources.

For more information about the Certified Decarbonization Professional program, other ASHRAE certifications and how to apply, visit ASHRAE.

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GSA Administrator Robin Carnahan stated:

This project is a prime example of how the Biden-Harris Administration is fulfilling its commitment to invest in America while expanding opportunities for small businesses. The Howard H. Baker, Jr. Courthouse is a place where hundreds of dedicated public servants work to ensure justice and we’re proud to support that vital effort while reducing our environmental impact, saving taxpayer dollars, and creating jobs in the community.

The project consists of securely underpinning of the building foundation with low-embodied carbon concrete and steel that will support the foundation and restore it back to its original condition. The project also includes work on the slab that will reduce the risk of future foundation settlement issues. Once the foundation is stabilized, the contractor will make repairs to the building’s interior spaces, roof, brick, and storm drainage.

GSA anticipates using over 700 cubic meters of concrete masonry units (sometimes called cinder blocks) and two metric tons of cold-formed and galvanized steel. GSA expects that both categories of materials will meet its most-stringent “Top 20%” emissions thresholds, And estimates that selecting these low-carbon materials will avoid over 50 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

The funding for the improvements — made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate investment in history — will be used for low-embodied carbon (LEC) materials that have fewer greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production.

The Howard H. Baker, Jr. U.S. Courthouse project is one of more than 150 LEC material projects that GSA announced last November. The project is expected to be completed by summer 2025.

The announcement furthers the Biden-Harris Administration’s Federal Buy Clean Initiative, under which the federal government is, for the first time, prioritizing the purchase of low-embodied-carbon asphalt, concrete, glass and steel that have lower levels of greenhouse gas emissions associated with their production, use and disposal. These investments aim to expand America’s industrial capacity for manufacturing goods and materials of the future, address the climate crisis, and create good-paying jobs for workers in the region.

The Inflation Reduction Act includes $3.4 billion for GSA to build, modernize and maintain more sustainable and cost-efficient high-performance facilities. This funding includes $2.15 billion specifically for LEC construction materials. GSA’s Inflation Reduction Act projects will implement new technologies and accelerate GSA’s efforts toward achieving a net-zero emissions federal building portfolio by 2045. Through these investments, GSA estimates a total greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 2.3 million metric tons, the same amount that 500,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles produce each year.

This project is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, focused on growing the American economy from the bottom up and the middle-out — from rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, to creating a manufacturing and innovation boom, to building a clean-energy economy that will combat climate change and make our communities more resilient.

To learn more about the funding, visit GSA’s Inflation Reduction Act webpage.

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The U.S. snapshot provides data disclosed to CDP-ICLEI Track in 2023 on local climate projects and investment needs according to each state and across key sectors, yielding valuable insights on how the rapid emergence of new funding and financing mechanisms such as the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law can best be applied. The snapshot is a representative sample of infrastructure data and provides critical insight into the kinds of projects U.S. cities are seeking to advance for climate action, key areas for public and private investment, regional needs and disparities and opportunities for aggregation.

Designed to benefit local and state governments, the U.S. snapshot highlights an understanding of local project needs and tracking municipal climate action, particularly to awardees of federal funding initiatives like the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, as well as technical assistance and capital market providers. The snapshot identifies 270 projects across the priority sectors of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, including 121 projects in buildings and energy efficiency from 80 cities, 88 projects in transport from 60 cities and 61 projects in renewable energy from 47 cities, totaling US$18.3 billion in financing needs.

On the strength of its annual disclosure process, CDP’s compendium of projects is expanding every year, which includes cities, states and public authorities disclosing their climate finance needs, along with details on the local impacts of climate change and ongoing mitigation efforts. In 2023, over 160 U.S. cities and six U.S. states, representing over 25% of the U.S. population, reported climate risks, climate action plans and projects at all stages of development through CDP.

Katie Walsh, CDP’s Head of Climate Finance for cities, states and regions and North America Lead, stated:

CDP’s snapshot of the latest U.S. project pipeline shines a light on how city and county projects can be supported under initiatives from the Inflation Reduction Act to deliver on the United States’ most historic funding package ever for climate action. Local governments across the country have been working on their climate, resilience and environmental goals and have a range of projects to achieve them. CDP stands ready to connect these projects with valuable preparation support, funding and financing initiatives as well as a mechanism to track local implementation.

Angie Fyfe, executive firector, ICLEI, remarked:

Congratulations to the 130 U.S. cities and counties who reported on climate projects seeking financing. We must continue to mobilize capital markets if we are to meet our collective goals to improve the livability of our communities, protect and restore nature and achieve a just transition to a carbon-free economy. Local governments that report through the CDP – ICLEI Track are leading this push for investment, and they should be recognized for their efforts.

CDP analysis covers a wide range of relevant metrics, including the status of climate action plans, mitigation and adaptation measures already in place, factors that impact a jurisdiction’s ability to implement projects and the identification of climate hazards. In addition to project data, CDP provides context on a local government’s social, political and economic environment, allowing stakeholders to place projects into the local context and appropriate funding.

Robert Fernandez, director, ESG Research, Breckinridge Capital Advisors, pointed out:

The U.S. municipal bond market plays a crucial role in financing the Country’s infrastructure plan, including supporting cities, states and public authorities in their response to climate change. Being able to access critical climate data and information, like from the CDP-ICLEI Track, helps municipal bond investors like Breckinridge access additional information about a local government’s climate challenges and goals.

The Snapshot, which tracks projects seeking financing and funding, is crucial to delivering on local environmental progress, says CDP.

Kate Wright, executive director of Climate Mayors, asserted:

Local governments stand at the forefront of climate action, driving change through innovative projects that increase community resilience. Climate Mayors are meeting the moment by leveraging unprecedented federal support to increase the scale and ambition of climate action. Tools that can help cities track climate progress, match projects with available funding and guide investments are critical to our shared success.

CDP encourages more cities and states and regions and public authorities to share critical information on their pending projects through the current 2024 disclosure cycle to help connect with increasingly available funding and financing opportunities through the Inflation Reduction Act.

View the 2023 U.S. Infrastructure Snapshot, with interactive map and graph, at CDP.

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