Mesa

Decoding the “E” in ESG for Hotels: A Mesa Panel Discussion

A summary of the panel discussion between Rachel Steinberg, Head of Mesa at Google (previously Sidewalk Labs) and leading hospitality experts on how hotels improve their environmental impact.

The hospitality industry is at a true breaking point, as the risk of not taking action on sustainable operations poses an immediate risk, not only to the environment but also hotels’ bottom lines. There is hard-hitting data to show inaction can prove costly to how hotels are positioned in the eyes of the guests, the safety of their operations and whether they are in compliance with changing energy regulations in their cities. 

To underscore the need for sustainable operations, here are some statistics that you cannot ignore. Shifting guest preferences show [73% of travelers will more likely choose an accommodation with sustainable practices](https://globalnews.booking.com/download/1037578/booking.comsustainabletravelreport2021.pdf). To ensure compliance, hotels need to meet the ambitious goals around climate change US cities are working towards. [130 American cities have joined the Cities Race to Zero](https://www.c40.org/news/american-cities-net-zero-climate-goals/#:~:text=Back%20to%20Newsroom-,More%20than%20100%20American%20Cities%20Make%20Historic%20Pledge%20to%20Accelerate,to%20Meet%20National%20Climate%20Goals&text=In%20a%20show%20of%20force,leadership%20for%20ambitious%20climate%20action.), a UN-backed campaign to deliver a zero-carbon world. Operationally, there’s bound to be a likely increase in insurance premiums if hotels don’t curtail major water leaks. In fact, [21% of water damage claims in commercial properties](https://www.chubb.com/content/dam/chubb-sites/chubb-com/us-en/business-insurance/preventing-water-damage/documents/pdf/water-damage-external-v12.pdf) arise from the hospitality industry.

With this topic taking centrestage, the Mesa team at Google (previously Sidewalk Labs) organized a panel discussion with Marianne Balfe, VP of Sustainability at Highgate and Zach Kupperman, CEO of Kupperman Companies to discuss how hotels can improve their environmental impact. We were also joined by Bengt Lundberg, CEO of Disruptive Technologies, whose company partners with us to provide affordable, innovative wireless sensors that make up the Mesa suite of products. 

Hotels are the most energy intensive buildings among all commercial properties, as reported by JLL Research.

All speakers agreed there is a lot of room to improve, especially given that [hotels are the most energy intensive commercial properties](https://www.jll.co.uk/en/trends-and-insights/research/esg-at-the-heart-of-hotel-strategies) owing to its use of lighting, HVAC and water annually. The group also agreed energy conservation starts by improving the life of existing assets and the involvement of all relevant stakeholders early on, to bring about effective long-lasting change. So what is the speakers’ advice on how hotels can become more energy efficient? Here are three takeaways that owners and operators can start to implement right away:

**Do your due diligence:** Begin with your business objectives and determine how a technology solution can help you get closer to those goals. Get outside help from 3rd parties if you don’t have in-house expertise to gain a neutral, holistic view on implementation and impact. Zach Kupperman touched upon how Kupperman Companies truly considers the total lifecycle cost of a technology solution and looks at its ROI across different departments. When vetting a solution, consider the business case not only around energy savings but also across labor, operations, customer satisfaction and even carbon emissions (scope 1, 2 and 3) where possible to determine fit. 

**Behavioral change is key:** The human aspect of sustainable operations is often underrated and involving front-line staff early on is key to success. Since front-line staff highly influence the experience in hotels, get their buy-in and encourage them to adopt these changes. Internal training programs that put these changes top of mind for employees are critical and inspiring ownership among employees to keep operations in order can really transform spaces. Marianne from Highgate alluded to how her team routinely involves hotel staff to perform preventative maintenance, check for leaks and find opportunities to save water.  

**Prepare ahead for regulations:** With energy regulations looming around the corner in cities such as New York, Boston and Denver, it's in the hotels’ best interest to meet the emission thresholds set per square foot and sourcing renewable energy is a sustainable and proven way to meet this challenge. The hospitality industry is behind the eight ball in this regard and hotels should leverage carbon-neutral certifications to make informed changes across their portfolio. Speakers also encouraged the use of Mesa as it does not require large capital improvements to get started and offers an easy way to continuously monitor energy usage in real-time. 

Mesa is designed to reduce hotels' energy bills without compromising guests' thermal comfort.

[Mesa’s plug-and-play solution](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/blog/introducing-mesa-a-plug-and-play-energy-saver-for-office-spaces) for energy management is designed to help hotels see energy savings immediately, meet their carbon emission goals and utilize spaces with better data. [Mesa’s Impact Report](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/blog/introducing-mesa-s-impact-report), supports ESG reporting and provides transparency into energy efficiency using quantifiable metrics. If you’re interested in learning about the benefits Highgate and Kupperman have seen in their hotels with Mesa, click [here](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/products/mesa#mesaForm) or get in touch with us at [hellomesa@google.com](mailto:hellomesa@google.com).

Real Estate Development

Product News

Decoding the “E” in ESG for Hotels: A Mesa Panel Discussion

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How can you set out to measure your building's carbon emissions and who owns the carbon? We offer a simple guide on the three scopes of emissions and ways to divide the ownership, underscoring the need for good data.

The global building sector accounts for a staggering [40% of total global Co2 emissions worldwide](https://architecture2030.org/why-the-building-sector/#:~:text=Buildings%20generate%20nearly%2040%25%20of,for%20an%20additional%2011%25%20annually.). Emissions from the operation of buildings hit their highest ever level right before the pandemic in 2019, with [building sector-related CO2 emissions increasing](https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/building-sector-emissions-hit-record-high-low-carbon-pandemic) year over year since 2010. In contrast, there is a palpable increase in climate awareness in everyday life, with investors and tenants demanding greener spaces.  Now's the time to change your narrative, but taking the next step can be daunting. We’ll break it down for you as simply as possible.
 
A business's carbon footprint is calculated using GHG emissions throughout all its practices, and its value chain. Given this wide range, the EPA has created three scopes, to differentiate the types of emissions a business may generate or use. It is common practice to report scope one and scope two emissions. Scope three, which is the most complex, is considered optional. The GHG protocols delve into finite details for these three scopes across all sectors. We have summarized the three scopes for you to include all things real estate. 

**What are Scope 1,2 and 3 emissions?**

[Scope 1 emissions](https://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/scope-1-and-scope-2-inventory-guidance): **This primarily covers onsite power generation, directly within the building**. There are four types: stationary emissions from fossil fuel combustion including boilers and process heat, fugitive emissions from a/c units or chemical storage, process emissions from onsite manufacturing, and mobile combustion emissions from vehicle fleets.

**Scope 2 emissions: This covers emissions from the power you buy**. This is energy generated elsewhere, but used in your building, for heating, cooling, steam and electricity. This includes everything from parking lot lighting to power outlets.  These emissions are most within the building owners control because they are determined by the type of energy and the amount used.  This energy can come from a variety of sources such as coal, gas, wind or solar. The options vary by state, check with your utility provider to learn more!

**Scope 3 emissions: (indirect) Everything else!** This is the largest category because it includes all of the emissions associated with the building/company up and down the supply chain.  For example, this includes building materials used in new construction, company/employee transportation, building waste removal and the products used to clean your building. 

**Whose carbon is it?** 

Joint ventures, REITs, investment partnerships, and a variety of tenancy agreements can introduce some confusion about who has to report what. Couple this with the complications of shared tenant spaces such as parking lots, lobbies, and bathrooms, and it all gets very convoluted. [Specific ESG reporting frameworks](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/insights/esg-in-real-estate-understanding-reporting-frameworks) offer explicit guidance if you are ready to analyze your comprehensive environmental footprint. However, if you want to ease your way in, the GHG protocols point to the lease agreement as your starting place.

Begin by identifying the type of lease in your building:
- **A finance/capital lease:** Also known as a net lease, the tenant and landlord agree upon specific operating expenses to be paid by each party. There are variations: Net, NN, and NNN lease, differentiated by the tenant-owned operating expenses. 
- **An operating lease:** Also known as a gross lease, the lessee operates within the space without any risks or rewards of ownership, leaving responsibility for emissions to the lessor. 
- **Evaluate building ownership:** Joint ventures should consider the apportionment of each stakeholder and their operational role in the building. 

Next, you need to determine the right GHG accounting approach. For corporate reporting, there are two approaches to consolidating GHG emissions: 
- **Equity share approach:** Under the equity share approach, a company accounts for GHG emissions from operations according to its share of equity in the operation. If you own, for example, 30% equity, you are responsible for 30% of the building's emissions.
- **Control approach:** A company accounts for 100% of the GHG emissions from operations over which it has control. If a tenant gains economic benefit from activities in the building, then the tenant is responsible for reporting the corresponding emissions. 

**Get started with carbon reduction**

While monitoring your emissions is important, reducing your emissions is where your efforts become worthwhile. But most energy management technology that cuts energy waste is either expensive or complicated to install.  [Mesa is a cost-effective option](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/insights/introducing-mesa-a-plug-and-play-energy-saver-for-office-spaces) designed with smaller, and older building spaces in mind. The plug-and-play solution cuts energy waste across heating and cooling systems, as well as energy consumed by plugged in devices. Mesa helps commercial buildings decarbonize and reduce energy costs by up to 20 percent. The average [15,000 square foot office space can save 23,000 kWh per year with Mesa](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/insights/mesa-23000-kilowatt-hours), or the amount of power it takes to charge your cell phone 1.9M times. 

Mesa works to reduce energy use in your building 24/7, providing feedback on occupant comfort, energy savings and carbon emissions in quantifiable metrics. To learn more about how to reduce your emissions while saving money, [contact the Mesa team today](mailto:hellomesa@google.com). 



Who owns your building's carbon?

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What kind of building solution does your portfolio need? We’ll guide you on whether a Building Management System (BMS) is the right solution for your portfolio and offer an affordable alternative, so you're prepared when it comes time to upgrade your building.

 ### A BMS in summary
A Building Management System, sometimes grouped with a Building Automation System (BAS), is the centralized and automated control of your building’s HVAC systems. In an ideal form, it can bring together many systems such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, access control, video surveillance and energy management. Often, it’s the go-to place for HVAC data and alerts. Large commercial buildings, typically more than 100,000 square feet in size, contain complex HVAC control systems such as Air Handling Units (AHUs), chillers, and Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems. A BMS solution is designed to automate these HVAC controls based on the building’s needs, monitor the system performance and deliver energy savings, operational efficiency and occupant comfort.

A BMS solution is best suited for large buildings with multiple mechanical systems, is costly and can be time consuming to install. What about the [94% of US buildings that are under 50K square feet in size](https://www.eia.gov/consumption/commercial/data/2018/)? These are typically run with packaged rooftop units (RTUs) that can exclusively be controlled using a thermostat. Rooftop unit (RTU) air conditioners serve cooling to nearly 60% of U.S. commercial building floor space, according to the [U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)](https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/whats-your-roof-rooftop-unit-rtu-efficiency-advice-and-guidance-advanced) and odds are that you own or manage a building operated by an RTU. Older, inefficient commercial rooftop unit air conditioning systems waste energy annually from $900 to $3,700 per unit, [according to DOE](https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/articles/whats-your-roof-rooftop-unit-rtu-efficiency-advice-and-guidance-advanced).

Mesa’s Impact Report shows reductions in HVAC and outlet energy runtimes.

### A (Much More) Affordable Alternative to BMS 
To combat energy wastage in small to medium buildings, Mesa provides an affordable plug-and-play solution that uses real-time data and automation to reduce energy consumption and improve tenant comfort. With [50% of energy use in small to medium buildings](https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-22169.pdf) directly attributable to HVAC, Mesa uses inexpensive sensors and devices to deliver energy savings across heating and cooling and “plug loads” (the energy consumed when devices are plugged in, whether or not they’re in use). Mesa uses automation to help capture these low-hanging energy savings — giving smaller commercial buildings similar capabilities to a bespoke BMS without the expensive equipment and high-touch installation.

### Assessing the Right Solution for Your Building 
We understand this isn’t exactly a cakewalk, so where should you start? To evaluate the right solution for your building, consider the following aspects: 
1. **Business goals:** What are the objectives for your building? If you’re looking to centralize and control multiple building systems using one solution, a BMS upgrade might be the right choice. If you’re mainly focused on getting real-time data and historic data patterns, reducing energy costs, gaining remote access to the space, and giving tenants more control on their environment, consider Mesa.

2. **Building infrastructure:** Perform an assessment of your building’s infrastructure. Does your building have HVAC systems like chillers, VAV boxes and other unit controllers? Modernizing with a BMS might be the way to go. Mesa is perfectly suited for buildings that contain smaller systems like RTUs and can be controlled using thermostats. 

3. **Installation:** If your building lacks connectivity, has complex wiring needs, or contains legacy systems that need software and hardware integration, having a professional scope BMS upgrades might be a better choice. If you prefer an easy and quick install with less dependency on contractors, Mesa can start saving energy as soon as it’s plugged in. All Mesa devices are preconfigured and pre-commissioned. All sensors are labeled and it automatically connects to wifi, so there is no additional work after it’s plugged in. 

4. **Risk:** With building decarbonization requirements becoming more common, combusting fossil fuels on site becomes a liability. Are existing systems running efficiently? Are heating and cooling units running simultaneously? Monthly energy bills lack the granularity to answer these questions. Mesa captures 15 minute HVAC operational status at a fraction of the cost of installing a traditional wired BMS system. 

Mesa enables occupants to share real-time temperature feedback using its thermal comfort buttons. 

### Learn More About Mesa 
Mesa is a low CapEx building solution that delivers immediate energy and cost savings to the bottom line and a healthy, sustainable approach to managing spaces. To highlight some of its key features:
- **Savings on autopilot:** Mesa’s energy sensors gather non-personal information such as interior temperature and occupancy. The system then manages heating and cooling, turns off unused power outlets, and sends timely maintenance alerts to building operators.
- **No more sweaty or freezing days inside:** Mesa’s thermal comfort buttons make it easy for occupants to provide temperature feedback, to avoid the common problem of over-cooling or overheating spaces. This reduces hot/cold complaints that operators handle. 

> If you’re interested in trying Mesa, click [here](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/products/mesa#mesaForm) or email mesa@sidewalklabs.com to learn more.




Does my building need a Building Management System?

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If you're currently investigating a smart building solution for your portfolio, this seven point checklist can help you make the right decision. 

Developers, building owners, and operators need to consider seven key attributes of a smart building solution as they look to upgrade their building infrastructure. A solution that meets these critical attributes will help owners and operators prepare a future-ready building, successfully improve the building’s bottom line, and meet the needs of newly constituted energy regulations and changing workplace policies. Here’s what you need to look for:

1. **Scalability:** A scalable solution allows building stakeholders to manage risk and assess a solution’s feasibility in a smaller footprint before deciding if it's appropriate to roll out building-wide. Scalability brings multiple buildings under one single pane of glass, giving visibility on operations and insights into best practices that can be applied from one building to another. 

2. **Flexibility:** Changing needs in building spaces mean the smart building solution should be adaptable and easy to install, and it should eliminate unnecessary upgrades. Sensors should be easy to add or retrofit depending on the business needs. Heating and cooling set points, lighting, and powering of electronic devices should adapt to occupancy in the building. A building solution that gives occupants greater control of their desired temperature can contribute to [0.5 to 5 percent in increased productivity](https://www.us.jll.com/content/dam/jll-com/documents/pdf/other/are-smart-buildings-smart-for-business.pdf).

3. **Affordability:** The cost of implementing Building Management Systems is very high, and it can cost anywhere from [$2.50 to $7.00 per square foot](https://www.disruptive-technologies.com/blog/sensors-for-building-management-system-bms). For example, a 100,000-square-foot building could incur upwards of $250,000 in costs. This is cost prohibitive for the nearly [90% of buildings in the U.S.](https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-22169.pdf) that are 50,000 square feet or under. A smart building solution that’s inclusive by design and built for small-medium buildings should be less expensive. Investigate all costs associated with the solution, both upfront and recurring, and look for tangible cost savings that prove a clear return on investment.

4. **Ease of installation:** A smart building solution should be quick to install, non-obtrusive, non-disruptive, and easy to troubleshoot. When vetting a technology, ask about dependencies like additional wiring, backward compatibility with older systems, third party solutions that might need integration, and whether the solution will meet existing and upcoming changes to building codes.

5. **Remote access:** There is a growing need for remote solutions that allow monitoring and control of building infrastructure on the fly. Uncommon in legacy systems, a cloud-hosted solution that gives property managers and building engineers real-time access to equipment from anywhere saves staff time and enables faster troubleshooting of issues.
 
6. **Business Insights:** A smart building solution should generate three kinds of insights to benefit multiple stakeholders in a building. These include real-time operational insights that alert building engineers of any potential equipment breakdown, open windows, and more. Business insights provide property managers a clear view on ROI in the form of cost savings, while strategic insights arm the C-suite with critical information on ESG compliance and whether the building is meeting the target goals. 

7. **Interoperability:** With the proliferation of smart thermostats, sensors and cloud based solutions, there is a need for a smart building solution to be interoperable with existing building systems. This is especially critical in older buildings that are running traditional HVAC systems and may not have the budget for a large-scale retrofit. 

**So, how can we help? Our smart building solution, Mesa by Sidewalk Labs, is designed to meet all seven of these attributes. Here’s how it works:**

- **Start with a plan:** Mesa’s sales team will work with you to understand your type of business, business goals, and your building infrastructure before recommending a solution best suited to your building floor plans. 
- **Mesa, a plug-and-play solution:** Mesa’s hardware includes sensors and devices that can be easily installed. With the installation process only taking two hours in most cases, many Mesa users are able to handle installation themselves. This non-invasive solution can be seamlessly integrated into any retrofit process. Mesa’s proprietary software then uses AI to automatically adjust the building’s HVAC and turn off unused appliances.
- **Clear ROI:** For the average 5,000-square-foot office space, the $2,500 Mesa solution pays for itself in energy savings within two years. It empowers both building owners and operators to take direct action on their bottom line. Mesa provides insights into operations, energy savings and its Impact Report also supports ESG reporting so building owners can see their impact on reducing emissions.

> To learn more about how Mesa works and how we can help, contact us [here](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/products/mesa#mesaForm)



The Ultimate Checklist to Select a Smart Building Solution

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Podcasts

City of the Future is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities, and this season is all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable, inclusive development. In this episode, hosts Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk talk about how increased investor focus on the "S" in ESG could transform real estate development. They interview the founder and CEO of Green Generation, Brad Dockser, associate director of inclusive development at Sidewalk Labs, Chrystal Dean, the principal and CEO of Direct Invest Development, Carlton Brown, and director of development and external affairs for Farpoint Development, Morgan Malone.

The "S" in ESG

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Many companies take a break from work in the last few weeks of the year, leaving offices unoccupied. Businesses that are closed or operating on reduced schedules can reduce energy usage and save money on energy bills when teams are away and recharging, helping them start the incoming year with a reduced carbon footprint.

These are just a few strategies you can use to conserve energy in your office space while it's closed for the holiday season. After you’ve successfully reduced energy use during the break, consider installing an automated building control system, like [Mesa](http://www.sidewalklabs.com/mesa), to make sure you stay on track with your energy savings. 

[Contact our team](mailto:mesa@sidewalklabs.com) to learn more about how Mesa can help manage energy use in your office space all year long. 

Happy holidays and happy savings! 


### The gift of savings
Closing your office during the last few weeks of the year? Here are a few Mesa-approved tips for energy savings while your team enjoys the holiday season. Bonus: We’re also giving you some tricks to use throughout the cold winter months.

### Setbacks: Change thermostat temperatures 
If you plan to close your office or operate at a reduced schedule, consider implementing holiday temperature setbacks. A ‘setback’ means that you expand your thermostat’s setpoint range to reduce how often your HVAC system runs. For example, when you’re away you can set your thermostat to 63o F, instead of keeping it to 72o F. This small change can have a big impact on your energy savings. By adjusting the setbacks over the winter holiday period (e.g Dec. 24 - Jan. 2), a 15,000-square-foot  space in the United States is estimated to save around $200, which approximates to an average of 1,100 kWh in a city like New York. 

### Unplug: Unplug devices and turn off lights 
Unplug any small devices or appliances that won’t be used, like phone and laptop chargers, monitors, desk lamps, toasters, and more. For example, a building in New York City that manages its plug load with Mesa saved 37% in energy use, which translated into savings for its bottom line.And, while turning off interior lighting is one of the simplest ways to conserve energy, don’t forget about exterior lights if you have the ability to control them. 

### Tape it: Seal those windows 
You should also ensure that your windows are tightly sealed; taping the frames of drafty windows can have a big impact. The chart below shows annual cost savings of [improving the airtightness of a typical office building](https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=860985). Having a secure seal can yield potential savings of more than 40 percent on gas and more than 25 percent on electricity.







Tips and tricks to save energy (and money) while your office is closed for the holidays

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“City of the Future” is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities, and this season is all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable, inclusive development. In this episode on the next generation of urban manufacturing, hosts Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk interview an expert in workforce development, Stephen Tucker, the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s chief development officer and a former Sidewalk Labs employee, Johanna Greenbaum, Nanotronics’ chief operating officer, James Williams, real estate director of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corporation, Beth O’Donnell, and director of strategy and development, Kimberly Lyle.

Next-Gen Manufacturing

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As you consider where to begin integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) concepts into your portfolio, building, or tenant space, it’s sometimes hard to know where to begin. The growing demand for ESG disclosure has created more than a dozen niche frameworks to serve different industries and stakeholders. Fortunately, each is grounded in the same fundamental concept: data disclosure. Unfortunately, the alphabet soup is enough to send you running. 

We’ve identified the most prominent frameworks and outlined their key differences to help you select the reporting structure that’s most relevant to your business. 

###Common ESG Reporting Frameworks 

- [CDP](https://www.cdp.net/en) (Carbon Disclosure Project) is a climate impacts disclosure system used by investors, companies, and governments to link environmental integrity to fiduciary duty. Using a standardized questionnaire, the CDP collates and verifies data on climate risk and action.  Scores are then applied to enable investors to make more informed decisions.

- [GRESB](https://gresb.com/nl-en/) (Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) measures ESG performance within the global financial real estate sector exclusively. Using an annual survey, GRESB collects data across the ESG spectrum, with an emphasis on qualitative metrics. This data is then checked and graded by GRESB, which publishes all scores for the benefit of investors and the real estate community.

- GRI (https://www.globalreporting.org/search/?query=Construction+and+Real+Estate) is the official reporting standard of the UN Global Compact and its 5,800 members. The framework is modular, with sector specific standards. The RE sector focuses on activity areas within the lifecycle of a building, with required and recommended ESG topics. Organizations can report using the GRI index or with reference to GRI standards. However, the GRI does not audit reporting.

- [The SDGs](https://sdgs.un.org/goals) (Sustainable Development Goals) are 17 UN-generated goals designed to be an interwoven blueprint for global efforts to build a better and more sustainable future for everyone. They organize your sustainability priorities into contributions linked to high-profile global initiatives. For example, efforts to “green” aspects of the commercial real estate sector could be influenced by targets set in SDG 9: “Industry, innovation and infrastructure,” SDG 11: “Sustainable cities and communities,” or SDG 15: “Life on land.”

- [PRI](https://www.unpri.org/) (Principles of Responsible Investment) supports asset managers, investment managers, and service providers to identify investment implications of ESG factors. The PRI encourages companies to become annual voluntary signatories, submitting responsible investment activities for review and assessment reporting.

- [SASB](https://www.sasb.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/IF0402_REOD_IT_Standard.pdf) (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board) sets industry-specific sustainability standards for a variety of sectors, including real estate owners, developers, and investment trusts. The real estate (RE) sector focuses primarily on quantitative data in four areas: energy, water, management of tenant sustainability impacts, and climate change adaptation.  Like the GRI, the SASB does not independently verify the reporting.

###Data rules 
With so many frameworks out there, many of them unverified, the integrity of ESG reporting is not absolute. Often, business owners are making pledges to be more green, without a strategy to support the work. Instances of greenwashing (“green” marketing without proof to support claims) have [risen enormously](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-09-01/regulatory-scrutiny-of-esg-greenwashing-is-intensifying), and there is a worrying trend of funds attracting capital by drastically [overstating their ESG credentials](https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3555984).

These disconnects have not gone unnoticed. Investors have been signaling that they want highly accurate ESG reporting, and the ESG reporting community is listening. In response, the SEC commissioned a task force in March 2021 to identify [ESG-related misconduct](https://www.sec.gov/news/press-release/2021-42) that will audit statements in Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs). Additionally, the PRI has indicated increased expectations for data validation in its new [2021-2024 strategic plan](https://www.unpri.org/download?ac=13269), focusing on C-suite sign-off on internal audits. There has also been a [corresponding rise](https://www.thecaq.org/sp-500-and-esg-reporting/) in third-party ESG audits to enhance reporting credibility against GRI, PRI or SASB frameworks. 
 
With investors’ increased scrutiny comes the clear need for verifiable data.Thankfully, you can get started without headcount or expensive capital equipment upgrades.

###Mesa Can Help 
Amidst the noise, it can be easy to forget that there are many positive reasons to start taking inventory of ESG factors in your business. Gathering real-time data on your buildings and understanding the related GHG emissions can serve a variety of purposes: to benchmark against other buildings, inform operational improvements, align with client sustainability goals, and improve potential investment opportunities. 
 
Make your first ESG step a simple one with accurate and robust data from Mesa. Mesa’s easy-to-install suite of smart sensors and connected devices automatically  cuts wasted energy, and its [Impact Report](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/insights/introducing-mesa-s-impact-report) provides you with the data needed to show progress on your businesses’ ESG commitments. 

[Contact ](mailto:mesa@sidewalklabs.com) the Mesa team to learn more.




ESG in real estate: Understanding reporting frameworks

A short female reporter with a microphone speaks with a tall man in front of a barbed wire fence, tall grasses, and a decaying factory.

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"City of the Future" is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities, and this season is all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable development. In this episode, hosts Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk interview Phil Armstrong, executive director of Greenwood Rising Black Wall Street History Center, Trey Thaxton, entrepreneur and owner of the Tulsa-based Goldmill Co. and Greenwood Ave., Landon Taylor, co-founder of Legacy First Partners, Victor MacFarlane, founder and CEO of MacFarlane Partners, Randy Wiggins, founding managing director of Build in Tulsa, and Brian Brackeen, general partner of Lightship Capital.

Innovation Ecosystems 2.0

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“City of the Future” is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities, and this season is all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable development. In this episode, hosts Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk interview a Portland artist, Cleo Davis, associate professor of affordable housing Marc Norman, and fourth-generation Black Portlander Rukaiyah Adams, Board Chair of the Albina Vision Trust.

Wealth Beyond Ownership

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Delve

Meet the Delve team: Five questions with Brian Ho and Violet Whitney

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“City of the Future” is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities, and this season is all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable development. In this episode, hosts Eric Jaffe and Vanessa Quirk interview associate professor of affordable housing Marc Norman, Esusu’s co-founders Abbey Wemimo and Samir Goel, the organizer of Portland’s Community Investment Trust John W. Haines, and Yonas Kassie, Hawi Muleta, and Sonya Damtew of the Ethiopian and Eritrean Cultural and Resource Center.

From Owing to Owning

mesa_social_schools_classroom_3x2.jpg

Thousands of school districts are now offering students full-time, in-person learning, with the added option of online and hybrid learning. Post-Covid, school administrations are uniquely faced with a few critical challenges: maintaining the health and safety of the buildings’ occupants, ensuring the operational efficiency of their school infrastructure, and enabling the effective teaching of their students. 

A staggering statistic from the [National Center for Education Statistics](https://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/publications/1999048/index.asp?sectionid=2) shows that 29 percent of U.S. public schools are more than 25 years old, or were renovated almost 20 years ago. Complications from the pandemic have made facility managers and landlords rethink how many of their schools approach infrastructure, especially ventilation systems, to adapt to the new needs around safety and hybrid occupancy. 

But now, with affordable solutions like Sidewalk Labs’s Mesa, schools have an opportunity to not just retrofit their buildings to make them safer, but smarter, more energy-efficient (less expensive to operate), and even more comfortable. If you’re a school facility manager responsible for these important objectives, here’s how you can create a smart and safe environment for students in your school.

**Bring in fresh air.** When it comes to health and safety measures, a good supply of outside air (in accordance with [ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2019](https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/technical%20resources/covid-19/guidance-for-the-re-opening-of-schools.pdf)) is recommended to dilute indoor contaminants and reduce the likelihood of Covid in closed environments. Automated and real-time control of heating and cooling systems makes it easier to control this kind of ventilation — and that’s where an easy and affordable system like Mesa can help. Mesa is a suite of sensors and connected devices that uses real-time data and plug-and-play automation to optimize HVAC systems and plug loads. With Mesa, facility managers can program their HVAC systems to let fresh air in based on the time of day and an area’s occupancy level. Facility managers can also use Mesa sensors to measure the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and program Mesa to let heating and cooling systems bring in more fresh air as needed. 

**Save energy — and costs.** According to a report from [EnergyStar](https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/buildings/tools/SPP%20Sales%20Flyer%20for%20Schools.pdf), energy use in K-12 schools amounts to $6 billion annually. What’s more, as much as 30 percent of a school district’s energy use is inefficient or unnecessary. While energy varies from school to school, the chart below illustrates the end uses of electricity and natural gas in the average school. Collectively, heating and cooling make up a majority of energy usage. According to an [Energy Star report](https://www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/tools/K12EnergyEfficiencyStudentToolkit.pdf), the energy used to light classrooms and hallways, power computer labs, and heat and cool school buildings costs more than textbooks and technology combined — and more than teachers’ collective salaries.

As schools adjust to the new normal of classroom learning, providing students a smarter and safer school environment will be top of mind. Facility managers can depend on solutions like Mesa to meet their ever-changing needs, keeping students and staff comfortable. 

To learn more about how Mesa can help your school save energy — and create a better learning environment for students — contact [mesa@sidewalklabs.com](mailto:mesa@sidewalklabs.com).



Here's how schools can create a smart, safe environment in classrooms

21.11.01 COTF S4 Bonus Episode Development 101 Facebook PNG 1200 x 630.001.png

“City of the Future” is a podcast that explores ideas and innovations that could transform cities. Season 4 will be all about the ideas and innovations that could lead to more equitable development. But before we can understand how real estate development could be more inclusive in the future, we have to understand how it works today. So, in this bonus episode, we talk to Sidewalk’s Head of Urban Development Alison Novak about how development works.


Company News

Bonus: Development 101

**NEW YORK -- Nov. 3, 2021** -- [Mesa](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/products/mesa), an easy-install energy-savings product for commercial buildings, today announced its availability through [Con Edison’s Small and Medium Business Program](https://www.coned.com/en/save-money/rebates-incentives-tax-credits/rebates-incentives-tax-credits-for-commercial-industrial-buildings-customers/small-business), which subsidizes the cost of energy savings upgrades for tens of thousands of local businesses in New York City. Customers eligible for the program can now receive Mesa, created by the urban innovation company [Sidewalk Labs](http://www.sidewalklabs.com/), at a discount of up to 30 percent, helping them reduce electricity costs through the product’s automated energy management system. This subsidized rate is available to commercial Con Edison customers using up to 300 kilowatt hours of energy during peak demand. 

Mesa’s connected sensors and smart devices use AI to automatically adjust heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems based on occupancy level, predicted weather, humidity, and more. The system also manages plug loads, the electricity from plugged in devices, like conference room technology, computers, TVs, and more, by powering them off when they’re not in use. By automating these functions, Mesa can save customers up to 20 percent on their electric bills, while helping them do their part to reduce carbon emissions. 

“Every dollar saved on energy positively impacts a building’s bottom line, just as every emissions reduction benefits the environment,” said Rachel Steinberg, Head of Mesa. “We look forward to helping more customers save money and achieve sustainability goals, and working with Con Edison to do this in Sidewalk Labs’ own backyard of New York City makes this feel even more meaningful.”

In New York City, commercial buildings occupy 15 percent of the city’s floorspace, but they account for nearly 30 percent of GHG emissions. Class B and C buildings struggle with energy optimization due to budget constraints, lack of advanced building management systems, and the complex installation process for energy savings upgrades. Mesa solves these challenges with setup taking two hours or less for an average office, an accessible price point, and seamless integration with existing building management and HVAC systems.

Customers can track their savings in real time using Mesa's dashboard [Impact Report](https://www.sidewalklabs.com/insights/introducing-mesa-s-impact-report), which shows building owners and managers their cost and energy savings, as well as what actions have been taken to cut energy.

If you qualify for Con Edison’s Small and Medium Business Program, or if you’re interested in confirming your small to medium sized business’ eligibility, please visit https://www.sidewalklabs.com/products/mesa. 

About Sidewalk Labs
Sidewalk Labs is an urban innovation company that tackles cities' greatest challenges. We create products and businesses, invest in new companies, and help developers build more sustainable, innovative, and equitable places around the world. Our development team provides advisory services for clients across the U.S., working on projects in Miami, Las Vegas, Portland, and San Francisco, among other cities. Sidewalk Labs was founded in 2015, and today has a diverse team of more than 150 urbanists and technologists with headquarters in New York City. For more, visit [www.sidewalklabs.com](link). 

**About ConEdison **
Consolidated Edison, Inc. is one of the nation's largest investor-owned energy-delivery companies, with approximately $12 billion in annual revenues and $63 billion in assets. The company provides a wide range of energy-related products and services to its customers through the following subsidiaries: Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (CECONY), a regulated utility providing electric service in New York City and New York’s Westchester County, gas service in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens and parts of Westchester,
and steam service in Manhattan; Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R), a regulated utility serving customers in a 1,300-square-mile-area in southeastern New York State and northern New Jersey; Con Edison Clean Energy Businesses, Inc., the second-largest solar developer in the United States and the seventh-largest worldwide, which, through its subsidiaries develops, owns and operates renewable and sustainable energy infrastructure projects and provides energy-related products and services to wholesale and retail customers; and Con Edison Transmission, Inc., which falls primarily under the oversight of the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission and through its subsidiaries invests in electric transmission projects supporting its parent company’s effort to transition to clean, renewable energy. Con Edison Transmission manages, through joint ventures, both electric and gas assets while seeking to develop electric transmission projects that will bring clean, renewable electricity to customers, focusing on New York, New England, the Mid-Atlantic states and the Midwest.


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