Deep decarbonization doesn’t happen all at once – it happens in the right sequence, with the right information, and a clear financial rationale. This three-part video series breaks down the Strategic Decarbonization Planning (SDP) process into its essential steps, showing how thorough assessment, intentional design, and a compelling business case work together to move buildings from ambition to action. Whether you’re just beginning to explore decarbonization or ready to accelerate your efforts, these videos offer a practical framework, supported by real-world projects, to move forward with confidence.
The SDP approach is grounded in three key steps:
- Examine Current Conditions
- Design Resource Efficient Solutions
- Build the Business Case
A clear picture of your building’s current conditions is where every great decarbonization plan begins. The first step of the SDP process involves rigorous assessment of your building’s current conditions to reveal where energy is being used, where it’s being lost, and where interventions will have the greatest impact. Watch the video below to see a project from NYSERDA’s Empire Building Challenge, illustrating how comprehensive assessments unlock smarter, more strategic retrofit pathways.
The second step of the SDP process focuses on designing resource-efficient solutions that prioritize efficiency before electrification. Known as Resource Efficient Decarbonization (RED), this step prioritizes reducing energy consumption, cutting emissions, and recovering waste heat as much as possible to create a strong foundation for cost-effective electrification down the line. See how this approach shaped the retrofit strategy at a Bronx affordable housing cooperative below.
Step three of the SDP process transforms a decarbonization roadmap into a financial case that moves decision-makers to act. By holistically quantifying costs, savings, incentives, and avoided risks, a well-built business case gives decision-makers the clarity to choose the right pathway with confidence. Watch the video below to see how two large multifamily buildings are creating business cases that drive performance and long-term asset value.
