Climate Change Data

Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM)

Climate Impact & Sustainability Data (2022-2023)

Reporting Period: 2022-2023

Environmental Metrics

Total Carbon Emissions:6,108 tCO2e (offset)

ESG Focus Areas

  • Climate Change
  • Sustainability
  • Social Impact
  • Governance

Environmental Achievements

  • Reduced energy use across offices
  • Launched Whole Life Carbon Accounting service
  • Developed EC101 embodied carbon calculator
  • Developed Environmental Analysis Tool (EATool)
  • Achieved carbon neutrality through emissions reductions and offsets (6,108 metric tons of carbon offset in 2022-2023)
  • Developed Bio-concrete in partnership with Prometheus Materials
  • 85% reduction in structural embodied carbon in San Mateo County Office Building 3
  • 75% savings in embodied carbon in 1633 Broadway office-to-residential conversion
  • 70% of demolition debris recycled at Utah State Prison site
  • New York Climate Exchange design targeting 85% reduction in GHG emissions

Social Achievements

  • Presented Urban Sequoia at COP27 and MoMA
  • Mina Hasman included in TIME100 Climate list
  • Engaged in Biden-Harris Administration's zero emissions goals for buildings
  • UC Merced 2020 Campus Expansion won ULI Award of Excellence
  • New York Climate Exchange design to create green job training hub
  • Improved workplace experience, ranking in top 5% globally (New York office)
  • Implemented various wellbeing initiatives in offices (e.g., air quality monitoring, daylighting)

Governance Achievements

  • Adopted near-term targets of the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi)
  • Continued participation in industry initiatives (e.g., AIA 2030 Commitment, WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment)
  • Collaboration with AIA and ASHRAE on national definition for zero-emissions building
  • Contribution to various policy initiatives and standards (e.g., Resilient America Act, California State Assembly Bill 2446)

Climate Goals & Targets

Long-term Goals:
  • Net zero whole life carbon for 100 percent of active work by 2040
Medium-term Goals:
  • Net zero operational carbon for 100 percent of active work by 2030
  • 40% Reduction in embodied carbon by 2030 (from 2023 baseline)
Short-term Goals:
  • Net zero operational energy in all future projects by 2023 (AIA 2030 Commitment)

Environmental Challenges

  • Increased business travel post-Covid
  • Housing shortage in New York City
  • Surplus of vacant office space in New York City
  • Need for better carbon instrumentation in the building industry
Mitigation Strategies
  • Action plan to reduce travel-related emissions
  • Office-to-residential conversion design for 1633 Broadway
  • Development of Whole Life Carbon Accounting service
  • Development of EC101 and EATool

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement
  • Prioritizing sustainable and healthy building materials
  • D-Specs initiative to decarbonize and de-chemicalize material specifications

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Physical Risks
  • Flooding (addressed in New York Climate Exchange design)
Opportunities
  • Development of energy-efficient products and sustainable materials
  • Office-to-residential conversions

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: LEED, WELL, AIA 2030 Commitment, WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

Certifications: LEED Platinum (multiple projects), LEED Zero Energy (targeted for multiple projects), WELL (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles offices)

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
  • Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
  • Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Initiatives contribute to these goals through sustainable design, carbon reduction strategies, and promotion of sustainable urban development.

Sustainable Products & Innovation

  • Bio-concrete
  • Mass timber
  • Ground glass pozzolan

Awards & Recognition

  • ULI Americas Awards of Excellence 2023 (UC Merced)
  • Various mentions in industry publications (e.g., Engineering News-Record, The New York Times, CNN Style)