Dow and the US. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently announced a Carbon Challenge that looks to address the increasing built environment growth by encouraging reductions in the operational carbon footprint of buildings. The Carbon Challenge award will recognize office buildings and shopping centers in North Asia that have reduced their carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency beyond business as usual.
     Taking the methodology of standardized rating systems even further, the Carbon Challenge evaluates merits based on Scope 1 – direct emissions from owned or controlled sources and Scope 2 – indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy, during a one-year period. The Challenge is open to office buildings and shopping centers that are 20,000 square meters or larger situated in Japan, South Korea and Greater China – including mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau. All data will be verified by USGBC’s Arc system. Registration will close by August 31st, 2019. 
     "USGBC’s deep knowledge of green building and sustainability practices and experience with third-party verification systems, along with Dow’s demonstrated technical expertise, creates the perfect foundation for catalyzing energy improvements in buildings worldwide," says Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC. 
     "As urbanization puts demand on the building industry, improving the planning and execution processes of construction and development becomes a vital piece of the sustainability puzzle,” said Nicoletta Piccolrovazzi, Dow’s circular economy market director and global technology & sustainability director for Olympic & Sports Solutions. 
     More details and the submission form can be found at www.carbon-challenge.com.