Seattle, WA
Building for sustainability – how Seattle City Council and DPD are taking a lead on smart buildings to counter CO₂ emissions
The building sector has a key role to play in tackling climate change. Buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions. This includes 28% from the energy needed to heat, cool and power them, and 11% from materials and construction.
The high level of emissions means the sector has huge potential for reducing the overall amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere.
There’s now much more awareness around building design regarding the need for lower emissions, but that hasn’t always been the case. According to research from Brivo, the top three priorities for architects and building designers today are sustainability, safety, and security. But a decade ago, safety, materials used, and reliability made up the top three, with no place for climate impact in the top priority list.
Seattle initiative
To counter this lack of emphasis on sustainability in older buildings, Seattle City Council passed a building emissions law in December, which requires owners of existing buildings to take new steps to reduce their building’s greenhouse gas emissions.
The new Building Performance Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS) requires owners of existing buildings larger than 20,000 square feet to incrementally reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. According to Seattle City Council, the policy will reduce emissions from buildings by 27% and reduce the city’s total core emissions by about 10%. Today, buildings account for 37% of total emissions across Seattle.
Building owners have a few years to ensure they comply with the upcoming legislation. They will need to start disclosing emission data, building equipment, and planned actions to achieve mandatory greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity targets from 2027 onwards; the actual targets will have to be met from 2031 onwards.
In the meantime, Seattle City Council will have to develop a robust digital system to track this information, ideally via collaboration with utility providers and self-disclosure from building owners, advises Dr Jens Hirsch, Chief Scientific Officer at BuildingMinds.
Hirsch notes that several other cities, such as New York City, San Francisco, Washington D.C., Boston and St. Louis, have all introduced or are planning to implement similar building emissions laws, indicating a growing trend to address building emissions and promote sustainable development in urban centers.
It’s expected that 80% of today’s building stock will still be standing in 2050, so the focus of these cities on retrofitting buildings is no surprise. Retrofitting current buildings can reduce their life-cycle carbon emissions by up to 83%.
For organizations that need to start complying with these rules, efficiency and cutting demand to a minimum should be a top priority. Hirsch adds:
Reducing demand to a minimum can be achieved through highly efficient systems operated by smart control systems and sensors, as well as by improving a building’s thermal envelope to minimize energy losses.
The first step in taking appropriate measures to reduce a building’s emissions is to gain a comprehensive understanding of its current energy consumption and the main drivers of emissions. With this data in hand, building owners can identify the most effective strategies for reducing emissions. For owners of large portfolios, this task cannot be managed using traditional methods and instead requires smart digital systems to collect and analyze data.
Technology plays a vital role in turning existing buildings into energy-efficient ones, by integrating advanced systems and sensors to control and optimize energy consumption. Smart software and data platforms can be used to analyze energy usage, identify inefficiencies and implement targeted improvements. Hirsch says:
By combining innovative technologies within the buildings and leveraging data analysis, companies can develop comprehensive strategies to reduce emissions and turn their properties into smart, sustainable buildings.
DPD delivers
Olly Craughan, Head of Sustainability at DPD UK, agrees that the first step to reducing the emissions of any building should be an accurate measurement of current emissions. DPD UK already uses 100% renewable electricity throughout its sites by either purchasing it or generating it via the company’s solar network. Craughan adds:
We monitor our energy usage closely per site and have smart systems fitted in many of our sites to ensure that our gas heating switches off when warehouse doors are open, reducing gas usage by 34% YoY. We also have Energy Champions in each site and they monitor energy usage and raise awareness to ensure our employees understand the impact.
Cutting-edge technologies like automation, artificial intelligence and IoT-enabled monitoring systems offer real-time data analysis and predictive maintenance, vital for firms wanting to improve their buildings’ energy efficiency. Digital systems have the potential to reduce 20% of global emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. Ionut Farcas, Executive Vice President of Power Products, Schneider Electric, notes:
These innovations empower companies to address safety concerns and monitor building occupancy rates to regulate temperatures, turn off lights when not in use, and much more – all designed to optimise energy use.
A rise in sensors should make this easier for organizations to manage. Farcas notes that by 2030, there will be triple the number of IoT devices in buildings compared to 2020.
Deploying a Building Management System (BMS) is a useful way to turn any existing building into a smart building, while also reducing emissions generated. A BMS manages and monitors heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security, fire prevention and energy supply via a mesh network.
According to Brian Bishop, President of the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF), a comprehensive BMS provides significant reductions in energy consumption, maintenance costs and environmental impact:
This is achieved by reducing excess energy usage through adjusting the settings of building systems in real-time using data collected by sensors and meters. A BMS will also provide real-time information and alerts to building operators and managers, allowing them to control and optimise the performance of the building.
There’s also the added benefit of providing detailed reporting metrics that let companies demonstrate regulatory compliance.
Bishop maintains that for a building to become truly smart, it’s essential to make all systems open protocol, managed via a single platform solution and breaking down silos even within a building. He adds:
This makes the role of your facilities management team so much easier, delivering even greater efficiency.
Existing BMS pilot projects suggest cost savings of up to 80%, with ROI achieved within eight months, Bishop says. This is on top of reduced emissions as well as providing validated data that can be used to enhance business operations.
Legislative challenges
Even with the availability of technology that can help businesses assess, manage and reduce energy use, there are likely to be challenges in delivering legislation around building emissions, including Seattle’s new law. Verification is one of these challenges, as Giles Clifford, Partner, Gowling WLG, notes:
It’s easy to spot someone driving too fast or on the wrong side of the road; far harder to enforce a law in respect of a building’s contribution to the emission of invisible gases. Much of the control needs to be done by way of proxy – physical or other verifiable measures that will be expected to have the necessary GHG impacts.
A simple prohibition is too often only effective if coupled with a genuine threat of being caught and punished. Even without corruption, which cannot be discounted, if the lawmaker doesn’t also have access to robust and well-resourced enforcement, the chances of success will be limited.
DPD’s Craughan says any legislation to lower emissions is a useful opportunity to reduce our impact on the climate. But he noted that the local government’s ability to implement the law is dependent on the resources available to monitor and enforce it. Craughan says:
“Making the law more attractive by providing subsidies and initiatives to modernise the buildings – solar and wind energy systems, and bio gas – and reduce emissions would help gain support for such a law, and could potentially boost the local economy due to the workforce needed to make these adjustments to the buildings.”
My take
Hopefully Seattle City Council will find the means to monitor and enforce its new legislation, and similar rules will be widely rolled out, as this is a major aspect of tackling climate change. As buildings are currently responsible for almost 40% of carbon emissions, smart buildings is an area where tech can make a real difference to our planet.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 17: Alex Carpenter #25 of the Seattle Torrent celebrates her goal during the second period against the Ottawa Charge at Climate Pledge Arena on December 17, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images)
SEATTLE – Alex Carpenter had two goals and an assist, and Hannah Bilka had a goal and two assists as the Seattle Torrent earned a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Charge on Wednesday night.
Hannah Murphy was 38.1 seconds away from the first shutout in Torrent history before Ottawa finally got on the board late in the third period on a goal from Rebecca Leslie. Murphy made 24 saves on 25 shots in the victory.
Julia Gosling also added a goal on the power play as the Torrent won their second straight game.
Seattle took the lead on Gosling’s power play goal late in the first period with Rory Guilday in the box for a hooking penalty. Ottawa looked like they were going to get the game into the intermission scoreless after clearing the zone in the final 20 seconds of the period, but Carpenter and Bilka combined to find Gosling driving the back post for a finish past Sanni Ahola for a 1-0 lead.
Another power play chance off a Mannon McMahon tripping penalty allowed Carpenter to strike for a 2-0 lead.
A shot from the right circle from Bilka deflected off a skate to Carpenter at the front of the net as she back-handed the puck into the net for a two-goal advantage.
The Charge then lost track of Carpenter in the offensive zone as she found space directly in front of Ahola, beating the goaltender for a 3-0 lead off a pass from Megan Carter off the left boards.
Murphy was sharp in net for Seattle, turning aside 13 shots in the first period alone as Ottawa had the upper hand early. She’d face just 12 more shots over the final two periods combined, with only Leslie’s goal finding a way through.
After Bilka’s empty-net goal made it 4-0, Leslie outflanked Carter and the Seattle defense to get a near breakaway look in on Murphy that she finished to avoid the shutout for Ottawa.
Murphy has been the goaltender for both of the Torrent’s victories this season as the rookie out of Colgate University has been terrific early in the season for Seattle.
The Source: Information in this story came from FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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Jorge Polanco won’t be back with the Seattle Mariners next season, but he left the club and its fan base heartfelt message after his signing with the New York Mets became official on Tuesday.
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Polanco, who signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Mets, posted the following to his Instagram page.
#Godfirst. I cannot express with words how grateful me and my family are for the belief YOU had in me. First you traded for me and then you signed me when everyone else doubted me after surgery. YOU made me feel wanted and loved and I will be forever grateful for that. I became a better player and person because of YOU. YOU embraced my wife, kids, and me as one of your own…again, I will be forever grateful for that. YOU were an inspiration for me every night and I just wish we could have delivered you the trophy YOU deserve. I will always cherish my time with YOU…I will never forget these last two years because of YOU.
YOU= Seattle Fans, Teammates, Trainers, Coaching Staff, Front Office, and Owner.
I will always smile thinking of YOU all.
Tridents UP!
Polanco was hindered by a knee issue and had a disappointing first season with the Mariners in 2024 after he was acquired in a trade that sent four players to Minnesota. But after coming back to the M’s on a one-year deal before the start of 2025, he had a resurgent campaign that helped key the club’s run its first American League West title and AL Championship Series appearance since 2001.
After posting career worsts with a .213 average and 29.2% strikeout rate in 2024, the 32-year-old second baseman and designated hitter batted .265 with an .821 OPS, 30 doubles, 26 home runs and 78 RBIs over 138 games in 2025. His strikeout rate dropped to 15.6%, marking the largest year-to-year dip in strikeout percentage in MLB history (minimum 450 plate appearances), per MLB.com’s Mike Petriello.
Polanco was extremely clutch for the Mariners all season long. He led the league with a 1.284 OPS and 259 wRC+ in high-leverage situations, and his .438 batting average was second.
That clutch hitting showed up in the postseason as well. Polanco homered twice off two-time reigning AL Cy Young-winner Tarik Skubal during Game 2 of the AL Division Series and delivered one of the biggest hits in Mariners history with a walk-off single in the 15th inning of their series-clinching Game 5 win. He also hit the go-ahead three-run homer in Seattle’s Game 2 ALCS win.
Polanco triggered a $6 million player option for 2026 by reaching 450 plate appearances in the regular season, but he declined the option to become a free agent. He was a top offseason target for Seattle before signing with New York.
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LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NBA plans to make a decision regarding domestic expansion in the coming year, Commissioner Adam Silver said Tuesday, offering the most definitive timeline since the league began exploring the possibility of moving from 30 to 32 teams.
And if there are favorites, as has long been expected, Las Vegas and Seattle are at the top of the list.
“Not a secret, we’re looking at this market in Las Vegas. We are looking at Seattle,” Silver said before the NBA Cup final between San Antonio and New York. “We’ve looked at other markets as well. I’d say I want to be sensitive there about this notion that we’re somehow teasing these markets, because I know we’ve been talking about it for a while.”
Expansion has been a topic for years in the NBA, and it’s no secret that Seattle — which had a team until the SuperSonics were moved to Oklahoma City in 2008 — and Las Vegas have long been clamoring for franchises.
“I think Seattle and Las Vegas are two incredible cities,” Silver said. “Obviously we had a team in Seattle that had great success. We have a WNBA team here in Las Vegas in the Aces. … I don’t have any doubt that Las Vegas, despite all of the other major league teams that are here now, the other entertainment properties, that this city could support an NBA team.
“I think now we’re in the process of working with our teams and gauging the level of interest and having a better understanding of what the economics would be on the ground for those particular teams and what a pro forma would look like for them, and then sometime in 2026 we’ll make a determination.”
Cup future
Silver revealed on Amazon Prime Video’s pregame show for the NBA Cup final that the title game of the tournament may move away from Las Vegas.
Among the sites under consideration: “Some storied college arenas,” Silver said. “We’re looking at other ways we can do this.”
Semifinal games in the Cup will be played at No. 1 seed home sites starting next season, so the concept of a final four in Las Vegas was going to change in 2026 anyway.
Cup viewership increases
Going to a streaming service hasn’t prevented fans from watching the NBA Cup.
Saturday night’s semifinals on Prime Video — in its first season as a league broadcast partner — averaged 1.67 million viewers, a 14% increase over last season’s semifinals.
And Saturday’s doubleheader — San Antonio vs. Oklahoma City and New York vs. Toronto — saw a 126% year-over-year increase in social media views, the league said, with more than 400 million views across all platforms.
NBA Europe plans
Silver hinted that there might be some news next month on the plans for the NBA’s project with FIBA to start a league in Europe.
That makes sense, with the league set to play regular-season games in Berlin and London next month when Orlando and Memphis go over for a pair of matchups.
“I would say we’re casting a very, very wide net right now and essentially saying to anyone who’s interested, come see our bankers, explain to us why you’re interested, how you view the opportunity, what resources you would put behind opening a team, and then we’re taking all that information back,” Silver said. “And then I think sometime in late January, or in January, we’ll be in a position to have more serious conversations with those interested parties.”
Silver said he got the news on Chris Paul being sent home by the Los Angeles Clippers the same way basically everyone else did: He checked his phone in the middle of the night.
“I will say I was dismayed just for everyone involved,” Silver said. “As you know, I’m particularly close to Chris because he was president of the Players Association many years. … I would love to see him finish off the season on another team. He’s already announced this is his last season, so I’d love to see him finish strong.”
Silver said it’s not his role “to cross-examine the participants” and added that he hasn’t talked to Clippers owner Steve Ballmer about what happened.
“It’s an unfortunate situation that it ended the way it did,” Silver said. “So, I’m focused, and I hope Chris is now, on the future.”
Silver says WNBA talks are progressing
Silver said he and NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum are available to help the WNBA and its players strike a new labor deal, if needed.
Silver said he’s “optimistic” a deal will get done.
“I’m tracking things very closely,” Silver said. “We’re integrated at the league office. I talk to the people who are at the negotiating table on a daily basis. As I’ve said before, we, the NBA-WNBA collective, acknowledged that our players deserve to be paid significantly more than they have so far based on the increased success of the league. It’s just a question now of finding a meeting of the minds in terms of what is a fair deal. It’s going to require compromise on both sides.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
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