National policies and agency actions related to climate, environmental, and energy issues were among the many topics on The Roundtable’s Sustainability Policy Advisory Committee (SPAC) agenda at the SOI meeting. Additionally, The Roundtable’s Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) and Risk Management Working Group (RMWG) met to discuss evolving security threats impacting CRE.

• SPAC’s agenda included an update by White House officials on an expected national definition of voluntary “Zero Emissions Building,” along with implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act’s (IRA) measures affecting embodied carbon strategy initiatives. In addition, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff discussed their NextGen ENERGY STAR Certification for buildings and a Department of Energy director gave an update on their Better Climate Challenge/Better Buildings Initiative. (Roundtable 2024 Energy and Climate Priorities)

• SPAC members also attended a special session with EPA staff where Roundtable members provided detailed industry feedback about the first major enhancements in a decade that are under consideration for EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool.

• The Roundtable’s HSTF and RMWG joint meeting on Jan. 24 addressed China’s espionage efforts impacting American corporations; the emerging use of Artificial Intelligence as a new risk vector; and the current dynamic in pricing and coverage in commercial insurance markets. (HSTF & RMWG joint agenda | Roundtable 2024 Homeland Security Priorities)

Next on The Roundtable's 2024 meeting calendar is the Spring Meeting on April 15-16. This upcoming meeting is restricted to Roundtable-level members only. 

#  #  #