The Power Of Buildings – Katie McGinty, Johnson Controls Chief Sustainability Officer

Feb 13, 2024

“The march that we have seen in businesses taking on climate commitments has been one of those forcing functions to bring the data related to buildings front and center (because buildings account for 40% of greenhouse gas emissions) ….There is a whole heck of a lot of inefficiency to cut out of those buildings. And so, as we think of the enormity of the climate challenge, buildings are that rare space that actually taking action cash flows is accretive to your bottom line because you're cutting out a whole lot of waste that otherwise there's just a burden on your bottom line.”  Katie McGinty on Electric Ladies Podcast

Buildings are 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, so they are paramount to addressing the climate challenge. But how? It’s complicated. Buildings are complex ecosystems with tons of regulations to meet because of how central they are to our well-being and safety.

Listen to Katie McGinty, Chief Sustainability Officer of Johnson Controls in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies podcast host Joan Michelson.  Johnson Controls has played a central role managing our workplace environments for over 140 years.

You’ll hear:

• The impact of covid on buildings and how that has affected carbon management programs.
• How buildings are managed and equipped to improve their performance and reduce costs, including by integrating various systems that were previously isolated.
• How the centrality of the workplace in retaining top talent has affected building infrastructures as much as climate commitments have.
• The impact of the Infrastructure Investment Act and Inflation Reduction Act
• Plus, insightful career advice ….

“At the end of the day, what matters is relationships. And if you have a choice to produce a good, even if not immaculate PowerPoint or presentation, whatever it is…take a risk of walking it around to a couple of people and say, ‘I'd really love your feedback on this.’ Take the time and maybe get out of your comfort zone to build those relationships. The other thing (is)… amplify… Make it a point of saying, ‘Sue just said X, Sue, I actually thought that was pretty interesting. Could you say a few more words about that?’… I think we can help our colleagues come into the game if we reinforce the foot they have put forward and we open the door for them to be able to express themselves more fully.” Katie McGinty on Electric Ladies podcast

You’ll also want to listen to:

• Lauren Salz, CEO of Sealed, on how heat pumps reduce energy costs and emissions of buildings.
• Pamela Conrad, CEO of Climate Positive Designs, landscape architect and professor at Harvard
• Sarah Golden, VP of Energy at Greenbiz, on geothermal energy as clean, renewable power.
• Heather Boushey, Member of the National Council of Economic Advisors in the White House and Chief Economist of the Invest in America Cabinet
• Elizabeth Thompson, VP of the U.S. Green Building Council on whether “green” buildings are safe. (Note: This was recorded under the previous name of the show, Green Connections Radio.)

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