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Building for sustainability – how Seattle City Council and DPD are taking a lead on smart buildings to counter CO₂ emissions

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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.

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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%. 

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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:

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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:

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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.

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Seattle bakery near UW named one of best in US

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Seattle bakery near UW named one of best in US


The New York Times just declared a local Seattle bakery as one of the best in America. 

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That’s right, Saint Bread on Portage Bay Waterfront near the University of Washington has made the list of “22 best bakeries across the U.S. right now.”

The Times picked out the bakeries based on their travels across the country this past year. Some of the baked goods featured by the magazine include Saint Bread’s cardamom croissant and its cinnamon-Okinawan sugar toast. 

Saint Bread Bakery in Seattle

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We caught up with the owner, Yasuaki Saito, who told FOX 13 he had no idea his bakery was going to make the list.

“Oh you know they don’t tell you about these sorts of things, they kind of show up in the press. We are very fortunate here. We’ve had some good press over the years…this is another one of those recognitions of the hard work and effort the team puts in every day. We are the type of place that is based in our community, and we make sure the product going out is really great, and we are serving it with a smile.”

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Saito says they will be closed for the holidays, so the next time you can check them out will be on Friday, January 3. 

Saint Bread Bakery in Seattle

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Seattle weather: Blustery Christmas Day in western Washington

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Seattle weather: Blustery Christmas Day in western Washington


A potent atmospheric river arrives on Christmas Day. Conditions will be blustery with increasing wind along the coast, through the Inlet and for some portions of the North Sound.  

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Heavy lowland rain and mountain snow will increase throughout the morning and into the evening. 

We’re tracking the chance for heavy mountain snow from Wednesday into Thursday in Washington. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Luckily, Santa will scoot in and out of Western Washington before all the rain settles in. Rainfall totals will range between 1-2″ during the day tomorrow.  Heavy snow will impact pass travel beginning tomorrow through perhaps Friday. 

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A blustery Christmas day with wind, rain and mountain snow.

An atmospheric river will arrive on Christmas day, bringing wind, rain and mountain snow. 

Along with the rain and mountain snow, winds will be gusty at times with the arrival of the front tomorrow.  A high wind watch will be in effect for the coastal regions, along with the Inlet and Western Skagit and Whatcom counties. 

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Forceful winds are on the way for the North Sound and coast on Christmas and the day after.

Powerful winds could lead to power outages and damage along the coast and North Sound on Wednesday and Thursday.

Powerful winds could lead to power outages and damage along the coast and North Sound on Wednesday and Thursday. (FOX 13 Seattle)

Heavy mountain snow totaling 1-3′, along with gusty winds will be possible. A winter storm warning will go into effect early Wednesday morning. Travel will be very difficult in the coming days over the passes.  

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Please monitor the weather conditions along with road conditions before traveling.

Winter weather alerts for the mountains.

Heavy mountain snow is forecast to hit our area passes from Wednesday-Friday. 

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A weather alert day is in effect for Wednesday and Thursday for rain, wind and snow.  The week remains unsettled with more chances for rain.   By New Year’s Eve, conditions are looking a little drier to enjoy the show at the Space Needle. 

Soggy and blustery weather continues in Seattle this week.

A weather alert day is in effect for Wednesday and Thursday for rain, wind and snow. The week remains unsettled with more chances for rain.

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Breaking Down Seahawks Playoff Scenarios Heading Into Week 17

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Breaking Down Seahawks Playoff Scenarios Heading Into Week 17


After dropping a tough 27-24 contest to the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks no longer control their own destiny and to win the NFC West, they will have to have several dominos fall their way beyond simply winning their final two games.

As their first order of business, Geno Smith and the Seahawks will have to travel to Chicago on the day after Christmas and defeat the Bears at Soldier Field. A loss or a tie on Thursday night would not eliminate them from playoff contention, but in that scenario, the Rams would lock up the division by beating the Cardinals on Sunday, making the upcoming rematch between the two teams in Week 18 a non-factor in deciding the NFC West.

But even if Seattle does beat Chicago on the road, however, that will not guarantee the season finale ends up being a winner-take-all battle at SoFi Stadium in the final week. If Los Angeles beats Arizona, they will improve to 4-1 in the NFC West, meaning the worst they can finish for the season is with a 4-2 record, which would tie Seattle after a loss in the season finale.

Along with being equal with that tiebreaker and splitting their head-to-head series, the Seahawks and Rams would both have identical 4-4 records against similar opponents and the same conference record, making strength of victory the next tiebreaker to determine who would win the division. Going into Week 17, Los Angeles holds a nine-game advantage in that category after being Buffalo and Minnesota earlier this year, meaning Seattle will need teams that it beat earlier in the season to step up and win games this weekend to keep them alive in the title race and close that gap.

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Specifically, per an official memo from the NFL, the Seahawks will need four wins from Packers, Jets, Lions, Falcons, Broncos, or Dolphins out of six games this weekend to stay in the NFC West hunt if both they and the Rams win in Week 17. In other words, they would need a ton of help from other teams to ensure that the season finale becomes a division title game.

In a more simple pathway to the division title and a home playoff game, if the Seahawks and Rams both lose this weekend, the winner of their Week 18 rematch would be the NFC West winner no matter what else happens around the league.

Considering all of those scenarios and the possibility that the Seahawks may or may not be in contention anymore next week regardless of whether they beat the Bears or not, 12s better buckle up, as the next several days should be quite interesting with playoff races reaching the final stretch during the holiday season.

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