Our team returned from Greenbuild 2024 full of ideas, inspiration, and a renewed drive to take proactive steps in greening the construction industry.
This year’s event, held in Philadelphia, brought together thousands of professionals from around the globe, all aligned in their determination to improve the built environment. Greenbuild is always a powerful reminder of how much progress we’ve made—and how much more there is to achieve.
Call to Scale
The communication was centered around the theme of ‘Build to Scale’. All the sessions were aimed at emphasizing the urgency of scaling up sustainable practices and technologies to meet global climate goals. Speakers shared transformative insights on how scalable solutions can drive meaningful change in the construction industry.
Impactful Opinions
The speakers at Greenbuild 2024 made a lasting impact. It was especially powerful to hear from well-known figures like Don Cheadle. His keynote brought a special blend of inspiration and urgency. At the same time, sessions led by experts in green building provided practical strategies for measuring sustainability impact and addressing climate resilience.
What stood out most was the sense of solidarity among the experts and attendees—a shared realization that we need to act, and act urgently!
Measuring the Impact
One of the esteemed speakers at the event was BEE’s President, Alessandro Bisagni, who together with a team of professionals–Ryan McEvoy from GAIA, and Amina Helstern from Perkins&Will– explored advanced methodologies and tools for measuring impact at various scales, showcasing inspiring success stories that highlight the tangible benefits of sustainable building strategies. Alessandro presented results from BEE’s machine learning model built to predict LEED scores from pre-design stages for the luxury retail industry.
This has never been done before and will change the way integrative design is conducted. The ultimate objective is to maximize reductions in both embodied and operational carbon from the very project onset – eliminating common pitfalls and moving the industry forward.
What’s New
Introducing PERFORM
At Greenbuild 2024, one of the most exciting announcements was the launch of PERFORM, a new platform built on the foundation of Arc, for tracking and validating sustainability performance of project portfolios. PERFORM was designed to help buildings and organizations streamline their sustainability efforts in a more impactful way.
So, what exactly is Perform? Simply put, it’s an all-in-one digital powerhouse where teams can set sustainability goals, measure their progress, make data-driven decisions to improve performance, and then have their efforts third-party validated by USGBC. At its core, PERFORM relies on continuous metering of key building performance parameters, ensuring that nothing is left to chance.
What’s clear is this: there’s no turning back. The days of operating without continuous monitoring are over. PERFORM ushers in a new era where sustainability is not a goal—it’s a way of working. Real-time data is the foundation, empowering teams to take swift, decisive action to meet their targets and earn certifications like LEED v5.
Our BEE Sense platform already has a full integration with Arc and PERFORM for relaying in real-time energy, water, air quality, and waste data. This will save projects a tremendous amount of time (and money) in reporting.
LEED v5
One of the key highlights of the conference was, as expected, LEED v5, the much-anticipated update to green building standards. Scheduled to open for registration in 2025, LEED v5 is set to redefine sustainability benchmarks in the industry.
Starting September 2025, GBCI will stop accepting applications for LEED v4 certification. LEED v5 introduces several significant updates compared to LEED v4, reflecting the evolving priorities in green building practices. What to expect:
Stricter Requirements
LEED v5 challenges projects to push beyond the familiar, embracing innovative approaches and ambitious goals to truly redefine what sustainable building can achieve.
Mandatory Monitoring
From now on, real-time monitoring is the backbone of sustainability, turning energy, water, and indoor air quality into live performance metrics. This continuous oversight ensures buildings stay on track, adapt quickly, and deliver on their green promises year after year.
Equity, Health, Ecosystems, Resilience – The New Mantra
LEED v5 challenges us to think holistically, making every project a force for positive change. This 4-pillar approach ensures that green buildings address not just energy efficiency but also the broader impacts on communities, natural systems, and long-term adaptability.
Inspiration from the Numbers
At Greenbuild 2024, the USGBC revealed its annual Impact Report, and the numbers spoke volumes. Even though a huge journey is still ahead, the report painted a picture of inspiring progress:
- 120 million metric tons – the total carbon savings from LEED Certified buildings
- 34% fewer greenhouse gas emissions
- 25% energy savings
- 11% less water use
Let these figures serve as a powerful push for all of us to be more proactive, embrace innovations and technologies, and remain mindful of what we build and how we build it. And let them be a reminder of why we’re doing this important work.
We were so proud to see Alessandro Bisagni featured in the USGBC Impact Report as a LEED Fellow—a huge recognition of his dedication and contributions to the green building movement. It’s a testament to his leadership and the impact he’s making on sustainability worldwide.
A huge thanks to Greenbuild, USGBC, and everyone who made this incredible event possible! It was amazing to meet so many sustainability superstars, pioneers, and innovators, all working toward a common goal. The event gave us fresh energy and inspiration to keep pushing forward. For our international team, it was also another great chance to connect in person, share ideas, and refocus on what really matters in the work we do.
