21st of June, 2023, ID360, a leading sustainability and decarbonization consulting company, has been selected by the City of Agoura Hills to support its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP) Assessment.

The City of Agoura Hills is proud to announce its Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), a comprehensive strategy to improve community health, reduce carbon emissions from fossil fuels, and build resiliency against climate change-induced risks. The CAAP is a long-term approach designed to address the environmental and economic challenges faced by the community and encourage sustainable, climate-friendly practices. By implementing policies and programs focused on reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving air quality, the CAAP aims to provide cost savings to the residents of Agoura Hills while ensuring a healthy and sustainable future for all.

“The City of Agoura Hills is committed to taking a proactive and responsible approach to our future. Through their CAAP, the City is determined in taking critical steps to protect the well-being of the community and secure a more sustainable future for generations to come. Our team is looking forward to working with the City in performing the assessment review of their Climate Action plan,” said Melanie Jacobson, Principal, and Founder, ID360.

The CAAP includes initiatives such as promoting renewable energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and supporting green infrastructure development. The plan also focuses on building resiliency during extreme heat events, wildfires, and other climate change-induced risks that may occur in the future.

ID360 has a long history of supporting California communities with climate action planning and implementation. ID360’s Climate Action Leadership program conducts a comprehensive audit of existing programs, metrics, ordinances, and interdepartmental coordination efforts related to the fulfillment and implementation of sustainability goals. Through this assessment, ID360 can provide an evaluation of the city’s current plans and strategize opportunities for improvement. The review concludes with recommendations for a CAP organizational strategy, and a management system designed to respond to new State legislation, changing priorities, and greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policies using an interdepartmental collaboration model.

To learn more about ID360’s work and other decarbonization and green code services please visit www.ID360.green

We recently attended the annual American Institute of Architects conference in San Francisco where low-carbon concrete was the topic of many conversations. Architects and builders are turning to this innovative material to help their clients reach their green building and sustainable building goals. According to the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, together, building operations and construction now account for nearly 40% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. By utilizing low-carbon solutions we can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint while also enjoying benefits such as increased durability and improved insulation capabilities. In this blog, we cover the benefits and environmental impacts of low-carbon concrete as well as how municipalities and architects are incorporating it into building projects.

The basics of low-carbon concrete

Low-carbon concrete is an innovative material that has the potential to revolutionize the construction industry. This type of concrete is not only more durable and better insulated than traditional concrete, but it also reduces energy bills and can reduce a building’s carbon footprint significantly. It is made from a combination of materials such as fly ash, slag, and silica fumes which replace some or all of the traditional cement in the mix. The specific mixture used will depend on factors like desired strength levels and application requirements.

Low-carbon concrete differs from traditional concrete in several ways. 

• It typically requires less energy to produce and has lower embodied carbon than traditional cement-based concrete. 
• It produces fewer greenhouse gasses during production due to its reduced need for cement. 
• It can be designed to have improved properties such as greater strength, increased temperature resistance, longer life span, and better insulation capabilities than traditional concrete.

There are various methods that companies can use to reduce the carbon emissions associated with producing low-carbon concrete. One way is to use recycled aggregate when producing ready mix or precast products. This reduces raw material needs while still providing a strong end product.

Using alternative binders such as calcium chloride can increase compressive strength while reducing environmental impacts associated with production processes like kilning or grinding limestone into cement clinker. And using industrial byproducts like blast furnace slag or steel slags in place of cement can help reduce emissions during production without sacrificing performance.

Benefits of using low-carbon concrete

The use of low-carbon concrete has quickly become a popular choice for builders and developers looking to reduce their environmental impact while saving money. Not only does it offer superior durability and insulation, but its production process also requires fewer resources than traditional cement. By utilizing alternative materials and recycled aggregate, businesses can reduce their carbon emissions while creating stronger, longer-lasting structures that are more efficient to operate. Low-carbon concrete is an effective way to save money on construction costs while helping the environment at the same time.

Environmental impacts of low-carbon concrete

The use of low-carbon concrete can provide a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide levels. By utilizing alternative binders production processes become more efficient. This helps to conserve water usage during construction while creating stronger and longer-lasting structures that require less energy for heating and cooling over the lifetime of the building. In addition to these environmental benefits, businesses and governments can save on construction costs due to increased durability.

How to incorporate low-carbon concrete into a building project

Incorporating low-carbon concrete into a building project is an important step for reducing environmental impact and achieving cost savings. To ensure success, it is essential to understand the product specifications and associated environmental impacts of the various types of low-carbon concrete available and the green codes applicable to your municipality. At ID360 we work with municipalities and architects to ensure project specifications meet or exceed the green codes.

The future of low-carbon concrete is looking increasingly bright. Low-carbon concrete can be used as part of an overall sustainability strategy in green building projects with beneficial impacts on both the environment (reduced emissions) and economics (cost savings). To learn more about low-carbon concrete as a sustainable building solution check out our Fundamentals of Sustainable Design and Construction course offered through ID360 Academy. 

May is National Building Safety Month, an opportunity to raise awareness for safe and sustainable building practices. During National Building Safety Month we also acknowledge the hard-working and dedicated code enforcers and building officials responsible for ensuring our buildings are safe and sustainable. 

“During National Building Safety Month, we recommit to helping every community in America make all of its structures safer, more sustainable, and more resilient for the future.- White House Proclamation on National Building Safety Month. 

Building safety impacts everyone! Safe and resilient buildings ensure the well-being of individuals and communities. We celebrate National Building Safety Month by raising awareness for a different area of building safety each week. 

The first week of National Building Safety Month highlights that building safety starts at home. Building safety impacts our everyday life, from fire safety to home maintenance best practices.

The second week celebrates the many people we work with at ID360, building safety professionals! They play a vital role in enforcing codes and keeping our homes, schools, and businesses safe.

The third week focuses on protecting your home and your community from disaster. Building codes and climate action plans play a critical role to ensure our buildings can withstand natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires. 

During the fourth week, the community is asked to get involved! We all have a role in making sure the places where we live, work, and play are safe. From reaching out to your local media to advocating for building safety, everyone can make a difference!

During the final week of the month, we highlight the importance of water safety. There is much work to be done in the areas of conservation and efficiency.

National Building Safety Month serves as a reminder that safe and resilient buildings are the foundation of our communities. By prioritizing building codes, energy efficiency, disaster preparedness, and water conservation we create safe, healthy spaces. 

Earth Day is a global opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet. How we can work together to lift up sustainable solutions, reduce our carbon footprint, and implement greener practices at home and at work. 

For us at ID360, finding sustainable solutions for the built environment as well as helping municipalities design, implement, and manage climate action plans is what we do day in and day out. Earth Day is an opportunity for us to showcase this work and encourage others to take action.

Fortunately, there are many exciting developments that will further our efforts including the recent announcement of $1B in federal funding for technical assistance to states and municipalities to adopt and implement building energy codes. Awarded in grants under the Inflation Reduction Act, this funding highlights the importance of codes to “raise the floor” for the built environment. 

 “The potential impact from these innovations in building codes and standards presents a nearly unprecedented opportunity to benefit all Americans and reduce our contributions to the changing climate.” 

-State and Community Energy Programs

As an organization that has seen the impact of green codes, we are excited that municipalities across the country will have the opportunity to enforce the latest zero-energy model codes to improve residential and commercial construction. We can transition our built environment to be more efficient and sustainable.

Follow us @ID360 to learn the latest about energy reach codes and the Inflation Reduction Act funding. We would also love to hear how you are celebrating Earth Day this year. Drop us a comment on any of our social handles.

Silver previously served as Project Manager

Menlo Park, CA, April 10, 2023. ID360, a leading sustainability consulting company, announced today the promotion of Leila Silver to Sustainable Policy and Programs Manager.

Silver previously served as Project Manager for the female-founded, Menlo Park-based ID360. In her new role, Silver will provide leadership as a Division Manager and support the company mission by developing and maintaining a leadership position in the industry for sustainable policy and programs. 

“Leila is the perfect person to take on this role,” said Melanie Jacobson, Principal, and Founder of ID360. “She has grown in her knowledge of policy and programs and she is committed to code advancements and opportunities to promote green solutions for our clients.” 

Silver is a graduate of San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts and Liberal Sciences in Sustainability. She is licensed as a CALGreen Inspector and Plans Examiner and is credentialed as a LEED Accredited Professional with a specialty in Building Design & Construction. Silver has served as a Project Manager for ID360 for five years working across sustainability projects with clients including the cities of Palo Alto, South San Francisco, San Luis Obispo, and Culver City. 

“I am looking forward to my new role with ID360 and continuing to expand my expertise in green building design and sustainability practices,” said Leila Silver. “This position will afford me the opportunity to work with our clients across industries and continue our footprint of sustainability in the built environment.”

To learn more about ID360 visit www.id360.green

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Commitment to building a greener future.

The annual California Building Officials (CALBO) business meeting is always a highlight for our team. We have the opportunity to connect with the jurisdictions we work with frequently and it provides us with an opportunity to learn about the latest innovative solutions being used to meet our state’s low-carbon goals and electrification-building needs. 

CALBO has more than 500 members and this is the 61st year they have held their annual business meeting. This year’s annual meeting was held in San Diego and we were able to meet with officials from across our state as well as changemakers in every vertical. This was the first time our team showcased our education courses available through ID360 Academy. We even give away a few! 

With so many changes happening so rapidly the CALBO Annual Meeting provides us with an opportunity to share our expertise and support many jurisdictions with their climate action goals. Additionally, here are a few of the highlights from our time in San Diego. 

• Congratulations to Chu Chang of the City of San Jose, who was the recipient of the 2022-2023 Building Official of the Year Award. They are a leader in sustainability initiatives and have made significant progress towards achieving their Climate Smart goals. Their work includes decarbonization efforts such as prohibiting natural gas in new construction projects and requiring EV charging infrastructure requirements beyond the statewide CALGreen Code.
• Focus on Climate Action Planning. We heard from many jurisdictions that are focused on acting on the goals within their City’s Climate Action Plan. They are working towards this by developing building and electric vehicle reach codes that support emission reductions, better indoor air quality, and enhanced resiliency. 
• Welcome to the new officers of CALBO! New leadership was introduced during the annual meeting. They hail from all over our state and we are grateful for their commitment to this group.

It is always inspiring to be in one place surrounded by colleagues and leaders in the building-safety community who are dedicated to their work and community. Thank you to the CALBO team for bringing us together and for hosting another great event. 

Menlo Park, CA, March 17, 2023. ID360, a leading sustainability consulting company, announced today their support for the upcoming Women Leaders in Code Enforcement Symposium event. 

The Women Leaders in Code Enforcement focuses on bringing forth some of the industry’s most fierce and dedicated female leaders that have transformed their own professional journey and are committed to paying it forward through mentorship. The annual symposium offers two in-person and virtual tracks and is designed to promote a supportive learning environment for women in the building industry. The Symposium will be held in San Diego, California March 21-23, 2023.

“As a woman-owned business in the sustainability industry I know first-hand how small the network of female leaders is and how challenging it can be to connect with other like-minded women,” said Melanie Jacobson, Principal, and Founder ID360. “Events and organizations like the Women Leaders in Code Enforcement are paving the way for future female leaders in sustainability and driving home the importance of mentorship and support within this community.”

ID360 is joining the Women Leaders in Code Enforcement Symposium as a sponsor and will also be attending to connect with other female industry leaders. The event will feature tracks on working as a public servant, growing your career, and envisioning success. Additional tracks and speakers are being added. ID360 is also in the green education space. In addition to providing green consulting services, their online and on-demand ID360 Academy is designed for working green professionals interested in advancing their careers in areas of LEED, CALGreen, decarbonization, and sustainability. 

For more information or to register for the Women Leaders in Code Enforcement Symposium visit www.wlce.net. To view a full list of courses available through ID360 Academy or learn more about ID360 visit www.id360.green. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the exciting inclusive change. Please show your support for the many Women in our industry that play pivotal roles in the success of building departments nationwide, building code development, and play impactful leadership roles that help guide, mentor, and grow future building and safety industry leaders.

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Menlo Park, CA, February 07, 2023. ID360, a leading sustainability consulting company, announced today that their Principal and Founder, Melanie Jacobson, has been appointed Vice President of the International Code Council’s (ICC) Peninsula Chapter. 

The International Code Council is a non-governmental organization that develops model-building codes and standards through an open, consensus process. Membership in the ICC Peninsula Chapter provides key opportunities to keep up to date on the activities of the ICC and code adoption status. The group regularly hosts forums to discuss code changes, interpretations, and updates.  

“I am honored to serve as Vice President of the ICC Peninsula Chapter,” said Melanie Jacobson, Principal, and Founder of ID360. “We have a growing group of members committed to code advancements and opportunities to promote green solutions throughout the peninsula region. I look forward to a full schedule of engagements and welcoming new members to our group.” 

ICC Peninsula Chapter covers CITY to CITY.  Previously, Jacobson served as Secretary of the volunteer-run organization. Jacobson and 3 other officers were sworn in during the ICC Installation Dinner meeting on January 20. She will serve a year term. 

For more information or to become a member of the ICC Peninsula Chapter visit www.iccpeninsula.org.  To learn more about ID360 visit www.id360.green.

2022 brought big changes for our industry including the California Climate Commitment, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the approval of significant changes to CALGreen. As we close out the year, we reflect on these major events as well as offer our thoughts on where the industry is headed in 2023. 

Decarbonization 

To say everyone is focused on decarbonization would be an understatement. California has become a leader in promoting sustainable legislation and green building initiatives including decarbonization. Governor Newsome has called for an ambitious climate initiative. A roadmap of this initiative was released last month outlining goals and objectives such as cutting air pollution by 71%, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating four million new green energy jobs. A big part of this will be decarbonization and carbon capture. 

Decarbonization and carbon capture will help California achieve carbon neutrality. We anticipate more businesses will look to adopt carbon offsets to improve their sustainability and carbon footprint. In addition, we will continue to adopt new technologies to reduce our carbon footprint and build healthier buildings.  

Resilient Infrastructure 

As natural disasters become more frequent and more intense, climate action plans will continue to address the construction of resilient infrastructure and ensure that construction does not contribute to excessive waste. The IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) provides an additional $1 billion over 10 years for efficient building code adoption grants. Raising the bar for performance expectations will likely drive innovation and investment in more sophisticated and advanced building management and automation systems. The drive to improve the building code structure began in November 2021 with the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

At ID360, we have worked with many municipalities this year to understand and execute mindful construction and demolition practices. We predict that many more cities will pursue local municipal decarbonization policies to comply with their local climate action plans. With the flood of infrastructure funding, we believe this trend will continue in 2023 with not only a heightened awareness but legislation supporting safer waste management. 

Continuing Education 

With both the California Climate Commitment and the Inflation Reduction Act major dollars are supporting the growth of the green workforce. With this, and a change in local codes going into effect Jan 1, 2023, we are anticipating a high demand for continuing education in 2023. Everyone who touches residential and commercial buildings in California must have a level of understanding of decarbonization practices, electrification, and the ever-evolving code structure. Architects, construction professionals, and code enforcers will need continuing education to remain current. At ID360, we heard this, and the need for that education to be affordable and delivered at scale. That is why we launched our Enterprise Program this year and will continue to service architecture firms and municipalities with high-quality, on-demand education offered at scale in 2023. 

2022 brought major legislative changes to our industry of which the tailwinds will be felt in municipalities across the state for years to come. We know decarbonization and electrification will continue to be the top priority and we look forward to working alongside our peers in the industry to support greener, healthier buildings, and communities in 2023.

With hundreds of thousands of jobs being created through recent federal legislation plus an increased focus on climate action planning and net zero building, our industry is poised for rapid change. These changes come quickly. With an industry in such high demand, employers struggle to keep up and find affordable training options. Yet, continuing education is often what sets an employer apart and supports employee retention. 

Benefits for the Employer

As the sustainability and net zero industry grow so do the qualifications and demands placed on employers. Architecture firms and municipalities must keep up with code changes, infrastructure funding opportunities, and community demand for more sustainable building practices.

Continuing education programs are beneficial in all industries and offer a wide range of benefits to employers and employees. Continuing education decreases mistakes that may result in company audits and decreases turnover rates. It also aids employees in career advancement, helps maintain job security, and increases overall workplace satisfaction. 

Benefits for the Employee

Continuing education is increasingly important as millennials, the largest generation in the workforce, further their career. According to a report by Gallup, 59% of millennials prioritize being able to learn and grow when considering a job position. According to the same report, 87% of millennials surveyed expressed that professional or career growth and development opportunities are important to them while actively working in a job position. 

The Cost of Continuing Education

Costs for employer sponsored learning and development continue to rise, with the average employer spending $1300 per employee annually. In sectors of the sustainability industry, continuing education units must be acquired annually to retain a certain level of certification. Managing this process can be cumbersome and if you are in human resources for an architecture firm or municipality, you may be pressured to stretch your learning and development budget. 

Enterprise programs can be the solution. Our own ID360 Academy Enterprise Learning Program is packaged for firms and municipalities to train employees at scale. On-demand, and entirely online, the ID360 Enterprise Learning Program includes all the benefits of quality, on-demand green education with the convenience and flexibility today’s workforce demands. Gone are the days of spending thousands of dollars on travel for employees to attend conferences for credits or to have them miss out on valuable billable hours. The courses offered through ID360 Academy all carry continuing education units (CEU) and are entirely on-demand. The ID360 team also manages the CEU process, relieving the stress and time management burden that often comes with company-wide programs.  

The industry changes so quickly, and with so much growth predicted, we must continue to invest in continuing education to stay a step ahead. To view a full list of courses available through ID360 Academy Enterprise Learning Program visit www.id360.green/Academy. 

The California Climate Commitment, a 54 billion-dollar investment towards efforts to combat climate change, has firmly solidified California’s position as number one in the race to net zero. Further bolstering their position, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law bold new legislation on September 16, 2022, that will decrease pollution, provide restrictions for California’s biggest polluters, and accelerate the state’s transition to clean energy. 

Governor Newsom collaborated with legislative leaders to draft the legislation that will be a meaningful addition to the California Climate Commitment. Over the next twenty years, the California Climate Commitment will: 

• Create 4 million new jobs
• Cut air pollution by 60%
• Reduce state oil consumption by 91%
• Save California $23 billion by avoiding the damages of pollution
• Reduce fossil fuel use in buildings and transportation by 92%
• Cut refinery pollution by 94%

The latest additions to the California Climate Commitment are a series of bills that will support state-wide carbon neutrality, protect communities from oil drilling, lay the pathway towards a 100% clean electric, remove carbon emissions, and work towards carbon removal of natural and working lands. 

In addition to this new legislation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has greenlit a statewide plan to meet EPA regulations that limit ozone emissions to 70 parts per billion. To help further this effort, CARB will ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters as of 2030. 

Efforts towards a greener California are also being made by the California Public Utilities Commission as they have voted to do away with subsidies that encourage builders to install gas lines into new buildings starting in 2023. 

These changes will have a huge impact on our industry creating a tailwind of changes at the city and community levels. ID360 will continue to keep you updated on California’s innovative push for clean energy as well as how legislation impacts those in the architecture, construction, design, and code enforcement industries. 

To learn more about the legislation we are watching, recent changes, and code updates subscribe to our quarterly newsletter. 

Menlo Park, CA, September 28, 2022. ID360, a leading sustainability consulting company, announced today the launch of its expanded Enterprise Learning Program for code compliance professionals, architects, engineers, contractors, building owners, and policymakers.

This announcement follows sweeping federal and regional legislative action related to climate change and decarbonization. The Inflation Reduction Act is being hailed as the most significant climate legislation in U.S. history with $369 billion in climate-related spending. The climate provisions are projected to reduce America’s carbon emissions by nearly 40% by 2030. The California Climate Commitment invests $54 billion to fight climate change. In an ongoing effort to slash ozone pollution, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted Thursday to ban the sale of new gas furnaces and water heaters beginning in 2030.

The educational criteria in the Enterprise Learning Program directly support this climate change legislation and is ready to support the industry in masses. The platform includes all the benefits of the quality, on-demand decarbonization education offered through ID360’s ID360 Academy now packaged for organizations to train employees at scale. Popular course topics include Decarbonization, Resilient Building Design and Strategies, Electrification, Green Building Codes including CALGreen, Construction and Demolition Waste Compliance, and LEED certification.

“In response to rapidly changing legislation and requests from our clients, we developed the Enterprise Learning Program for those organizations looking to provide continuous learning and development organization-wide,” said Melanie Jacobson, Principal, and Founder of ID360. “Organizations can choose a selection of courses most relevant to their line of work. We do all the heavy lifting from the management of continuing education units (CEUs) to staying current on all legislative and code changes.”

Access to the Enterprise Learning Program is best for teams and businesses looking to train fifteen or more employees. Enterprise learning packages are customizable and learners will have access for one year. All coursework available through the Enterprise Learning Program is eligible for CEUs from the American Institute of Architects (AIA), International Code Council (ICC), and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI). ID360 will track, manage and provide CEU certificates for all enterprise learners. The coursework is also available entirely online and on-demand allowing for maximum flexibility.

“This is a critical time for our industry. New legislation and codes are going into effect and our coursework will help industry professionals stay a step ahead,” said Jacobson. “The days are gone of one lone staff member retaining all the ‘green’ knowledge. Decarbonization and green codes are now a part of everyday construction and design.”

Pricing for the Enterprise Learning Program is based on the number of participating learners. For more information contact support@id360academy.com. To view a complete list of courses available through ID360 Academy, visit www.id360.green/Academy.

To register your organization for the Enterprise Learning Program, visit the Registration Page to get started.