Page 25 - Mapping the Nation: Taking Climate Action

design, manage, and use our buildings. We must also more fully understand our impacts on the environment because there's only one and we're responsible for better management of it. Fortunately, we have the tools and technologies at our disposal to achieve this transition to buildings with net-zero carbon emissions. GIS technology and facility mapping provide powerful insights into our built world. They allow us to see the big picture and better understand the impact of our decisions on our planet. The data-driven nature of GIS helps us examine our built and natural environments, quantifying the impacts of climate change and addressing root causes. Today's Building Use Harms Our Climate—But This Can Change Reducing the role of buildings and facilities in contributing to global emissions is a complex challenge. Buildings are the source of almost half of global carbon emissions, but solving the problem is not just about energy efficiency. Since 1989, office buildings are 17 percent bigger even though the number of workers per building has remained the same. We must adjust the forms we build to meet our actual working and living needs. Without adapting, we cannot reduce our carbon footprint. There are many factors at play, including competing priorities between building owners and the facilities industry, and a lack of political will. This is not an easy task, but it is one that we must undertake if we want to create a sustainable future for generations to come. We Can Find Balance and React with Resilience The consequences of failing to act are severe and far- reaching: Extreme weather is now the norm, and rising global Smart space utilization starts with understanding how the different areas of the facilities are being used and making data-driven decisions about space allocation based on occupancy, capacity, and amenities to reduce overhead costs to meet business objectives. 24 to Climate Action A Geographic Approach