Webinar: Building Performance Standards in the U.S. and Net Zero

On April 16, 2026, the Global Network for Zero (GNFZ) held an engaging live, virtual event featuring leading industry experts on Building Performance Standards (BPS).

Watch and learn how BPS’ outcome-based policies reduce the carbon impact of the built environment by requiring existing buildings to meet energy and/or GHG emissions-based performance targets. Speakers include:

• Cliff Majersik, Senior Advisor, Institute for Market Transformation (IMT)

• Rachel Schiftan, Senior Managing Director, Sustainability, Cushman & Wakefield

• Kristy Walson, Practice Lead, BranchPattern

• Chris Schaffner, CEO and Founder, The Green Engineer

• Nora Wang Esram, CEO, New Buildings Institute

• Sharon Jaye, Building Performance Policy Manager, City and County of Denver

• Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO, Global Network for Zero

Case studies and resources were shared, and are provided below to supplement this session.

• IMT map showing existing building BPS policies

• All things BPS from IMT

• Green Lease Leaders

• Summary of Model Performance-Based Lease Provisions

• The International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL)’s benchmarking tool for labs

• I2SL’s tool for translating LBT data into an ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit

• ASHRAE’s Center of Excellence for Building Decarbonization resources

• IMT Resource: “Overcoming the Six Biggest Hurdles to Better Energy and Sustainability Performance in Leased Retail Spaces”

• Model Utility Data Access Law