ULI Net Zero Compendium
Developing a path to net zero carbon has become a priority for investors, tenants, cities, and the real estate industry. Through work across many facets of ULI – our Center for Sustainability and Economic Performance, Greenprint Center for Building Performance, District/National Councils, Advisory Services, ULI Learning, and beyond – we have developed a wide range of resources to help ULI members and the broader real estate and land use community better understand the business case for a path to net zero, and tools to help them operationalize it in their projects and portfolios.
What is net zero?
Net-zero in the built environment describes a building portfolio that is highly energy efficient and fully powered by on- and off-site renewables and offsets. More on ULI’s definition of net zero and our net zero goal is available here.
Why is it important?
ULI’s mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, and net zero is a crucial building block to help us achieve this. According to the AR6 Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis Report, achieving global net zero GHG emissions is a requirement for stabilizing CO2-induced global surface temperature warming. Real estate has a tremendous responsibility and opportunity in this realm to act and ensure a future where we are minimizing our environmental impacts and advancing pathways to mitigating climate change. There is also a clear and present business case opportunity for real estate to take leadership on decarbonization.
Ways to get involved
- Engage in the Net Zero Imperative
- Submit a Statement of Interest to participate in the program
- Offer services as a subject matter expert on a Net Zero Imperative Technical Assistance Panel (TAP)
- Join ULI Greenprint if your firm owns or develops buildings
- Consider applying to join a Product Council related to sustainability:
- ULI Americas — SDC, RPIC, and RRC
- ULI Europe — Sustainability Council
- ULI Asia Pacific — Resilient Cities Council
- Take the Net Zero Real Estate: Renovating and Building for Profitability ULI Learning course
- Apply learnings from Case Studies, Research Reports, and Webinars
- Share Urban Land articles
- Apply for the ULI Low-carbon Development award
Learn more about ULI’s programs on net zero
Research Reports
| Resource | Author & Year |
|---|---|
| Electrify: The Movement to All-Electric Real Estate | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2021) |
| The ULI Blueprint for Green Real Estate | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2020) |
| Decarbonizing the Built Environment: 10 Principles for Climate Mitigation Policies | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2020) |
| Embodied Carbon in Building Materials for Real Estate | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2019) |
| D.C. Vision 2050: An Effective Strategy and Plan for Real Estate Owners to Achieve D.C.'s Sustainability Goals | ULI Advisory Services (2019) |
| Best Practices for Achieving Zero Over Time For Building Portfolios | Rocky Mountain Institute and ULI (2018) |
Case Studies
| Resource | Author & Year |
|---|---|
| State of Green, ULI Greenprint Annual Performance Report Vol 12 – NEO Meets Net Zero Goal Through Green Power Procurement | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2021) |
| ULI Greenprint Annual Performance Report Vol 10 – Net-Zero Energy: Morgan Creek Ventures | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2019) |
| The ULI Blueprint For Green Real Estate – Setting Net-Zero Goals: Hudson Pacific Properties | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2020) |
| Tenant Energy Optimization Program Case Study: Rocky Mountain Institute | ULI Greenprint Center for Building Performance (2020) |
| Maceo May, San Francisco, CA | ULI Urban Resilience (2020) |
| The Brock Environmental Center, Virgina Beach, VA | ULI Urban Resilience (2015) |
| The Rose, Minneapolis, MN | Sam Newburg (2015) |
| Bullit Center, Seattle, WA | Jason Scully (2015) |
Webinars & Videos
| Resource | Type of Content & Year |
|---|---|
| ULI Colorado: Getting to Net Zero Energy | Webinar (2021) |
| 5 Technologies Enabling Buildings to Reach Net Zero | ULI Virtual Spring Meeting On Demand Session Recording (2021) |
| ULI Austin: Net Zero. What is It? What Does it Matter? How Do We Get There? | Webinar (2021) |
| Net Zero Carbon Buildings | ULI Singapore Conference Panel Discussion Recording (2021) |
| Carbon Neutrality in Investment Real Estate | Webinar (2020) |
| Future of Decarbonization in the Built Environment | ULI Virtual Fall Meeting Session Recording (2020) |
| Net-Zero Buildings: A Master Class | Webinar (2020) |
ULI Learning Courses
| Resource | Type of Content |
|---|---|
| Decarbonising the Built Environment: Making the Financial Case | Executive Series Course |
| Net Zero Real Estate: Renovating and Building for Profitability | On Demand Course |