Introducing a Framework for Enabling the Buildings Decarbonization Ecosystem
Username
Smita Thomas
Proposer First Name
Smita
Proposer Email
thomas@energy-shrink.com
Proposer Last Name
Thomas
Proposer Company/Organization
Energy Shrink, LLC
Proposer Job Title
CEO
Proposer Additional Info
I am the founder of a consulting practice focused on decarbonizing buildings.
Proposed Session Description
Decarbonizing buildings takes an entire ecosystem of market forces to be enabled. We will explore this ecosystem that she developed in 2021 as part of a course she teaches called Decarbonizing Buildings; and explore a fresh idea for financing retrofits in low-income neighborhoods to improve equity.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
It explores a solution to help retrofit low-income homes and improve equity. (The speaker is also a woman of color if that is a consideration)
Learning Objectives
Understand the ecosystem for decarbonizing buildings
Think outside silos as a systems thinker
Analyze plans and programs for gaps in enabling levers
Get ideas for fresh approaches to decarbonize buildings by connecting the dots
Has this session been presented before?
No
Target Audiences Level of Expertise
Level 1 - No prior knowledge needed.
Session Format
Presentation followed by facilitated discussion or breakout groups
Session Format Details
A 20-30-minute presentation followed by Q&A. Can also be combined with another session.
Recommended Length
60-minute session
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
I've long wanted to attend NESEA. It's been on my bucket list. Would love to attend as a speaker.
Presenters
Full Description
Decarbonizing buildings takes an entire ecosystem of market forces to be enabled and aligned. The presenter developed a framework to describe these market forces and their relationships while developing the course material for ‘Decarbonizing Buildings’, a course she has offered at the George Washington University since 2021. The framework serves as a guide for the systems thinker to ensure that planners and program designers take a comprehensive approach and activate all relevant market forces to decarbonize buildings at scale.
Taking the holistic point of view also sparks ideas and innovation, as it did for the presenter. Using this framework as our guide, we will explore a fresh idea for a mechanism to finance retrofits in low-income neighborhoods and improve equity.