The American Institute of Architects has announced that OPAL is one of a small group of firms nationwide that met the current carbon-neutrality goal of its 2030 Commitment program. This recognition represents a milestone for our firm. The 2030 Commitment program, initiated in 2010, sets a stepped sequence of targets for all new buildings, developments, and major renovations, culminating in 100 percent operational carbon neutrality by 2030. Of the 311 firms participating, OPAL was among only 27 that met or exceeded the latest emission-reduction target. A signatory to the program since 2017, OPAL submits annual carbon emission data for all of our projects—measured as energy use intensity, or EUI, and expressed as a percent reduction from the regional baseline. The current target, for buildings completed in 2019, is 70 percent. We’re proud to report that our 2019 average—an 84 percent reduction—surpasses not only that benchmark, but also the 80 percent reduction targeted for 2020.
