Start spreading the news. It’s time.
This year has seen its share of climate change impacts, with millions of people in the path of extreme and frequent weather events worldwide. Investments in clean energy are higher than ever, yet according to our latest study with Forrester, 80% of companies recognize they need to do more to achieve net zero by 2050.
The theme for this year’s Climate Week NYC is "It’s time for game changing progress." Time to lead, time to act, time to accelerate scalable innovation.
Accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, buildings are imperative to solving the climate crisis. It’s time to decarbonize buildings and we’re at a pivotal moment. We have the technologies, financing and experts to transform buildings from one of the greatest climate challenges into one of the biggest climate wins. What’s more, smart and sustainable buildings are also one the biggest business wins-reducing energy costs, meeting shareholder demands, improving resilience and inspiring a purpose-driven workforce.
It's time to work together, and speed is of the essence.
Follow and Connect with us at Climate Week NYC and follow @johnsoncontrols on social platforms
Latest News and Highlights
Vijay Sankaran has worked at diverse mix of companies over the span of his career, from Ford Motor Co to TD Ameritrade. When he joined Johnson Controls in 2021, he added another distinction to his resume: overseeing technology at a firm whose roots stretch back to the 19th century. Read more
Smart Buildings Offer Retail, Commercial Facilities A Competitive Edge
Against the backdrop of New York Climate Week 2024, the movement toward smarter buildings is taking center stage as the commercial real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges. Building on a 2023 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Johnson Controls, a recently released spotlight report, “Cracking The Smart Buildings Code: A Spotlight On Retail And Commercial Real Estate,” reveals that investments in smart buildings are essential for leaders aiming to enhance sustainability, security, and save money. Read more
The Sustainable Markets Initiative announces a groundbreaking new roadmap to accelerate decarbonisation of buildings by bridging the ‘split incentive’ gap. The report outlines challenges, solutions and best practices for addressing the split incentive gap, creating a practical roadmap for the public and private sector to accelerate decarbonisation initiatives. Read more
As the commercial real estate sector faces unprecedented challenges and against the backdrop of New York Climate Week 2024, the biggest annual climate event of its kind, the movement toward smarter buildings is top of mind. Building on a 2023 commissioned study conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), a recently released spotlight report, "Cracking The Smart Buildings Code: A Spotlight On Retail And Commercial Real Estate," reveals that investments in smart buildings are essential for leaders aiming to enhance sustainability, security, and save money. Read more
The Sustainable Steel Buyers Platform (SSBP), a coalition of leading corporations working to advance the purchase of inaugural volumes of near-zero emissions steel in North America today released a Request for Proposal (RFP). The platform is convened by clean energy nonprofit RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) and is seeking bids to meet the members’ demand for 1 million tons per year of near-zero emissions steel by 2028, resulting in an annual carbon emissions reduction of roughly 1.5 million metric tons. The Platform’s first RFP welcomes Amazon and Johnson Controls as the latest corporations to signal market demand for lower emissions steel. Read more
Clemson University and Johnson Controls announced today the establishment of the Johnson Controls Building Analytics for Sustainability and Health Center with a nearly $3 million commitment from Johnson Controls and its Foundation to fund the Center, student scholarships and smart building research. This development positions Johnson Controls as a strategic corporate partner, which builds upon the company’s decades-long relationship with the university. Learn more
How power-positive data centers can unlock AI’s potential while transforming communities >
The stats are clear. The electric grid is over 100 years old and already feeling the strain – reshored manufacturing, transport electrification and heat pumps are a few capabilities demanding more from the grid. Against this backdrop, the most powerful and promising technology in a generation – artificial intelligence (AI) – has emerged, demanding more power still.Current figures estimate that electric demand for the data centers supporting AI is about 4% of US electric consumption, which is expected to double by the end of the decade. The scenario is similar the world over, which suggests to some that we’re heading to a cliff edge. However, that may not be the case.
Read more in a World Economic Forum blog post from Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability and external relations officer, on how adopting a “power-positive” approach, data centers can contribute to community-wide energy efficiency improvements.
Read more
The business case for sustainability: driving climate action and financial success >
Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making them a crucial focus for climate action and sustainability efforts. For C-suites everywhere, the business case underpinning sustainability as a priority is becoming more widely understood and embraced for its numerous benefits—including reducing costs and waste while optimizing organizations.In a new article, we explore a few of the primary business considerations driving adoption of sustainable technologies and practices. Learn more
Harnessing the power of smart technologies to decarbonize our buildings >
At Johnson Controls, the global leader in smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, we recognize the critical importance of decarbonizing the built environment. The future of smart buildings not only benefits the environment but also enhances the bottom line.In a new video, Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability, and External Relations Officer, highlights that this new model of sustainable buildings can positively impact the bottom line. By creating vibrant workplaces where people are more comfortable, healthier, smarter, and more productive, we can drive both environmental and economic benefits.
Watch the full video here. Watch video
Katie McGinty Named in Personal Appointment to GHG Protocol Steering Committee >
Katie McGinty, vice president and chief sustainability and external relations officer at Johnson Controls, has been named to the inaugural Steering Committee of the GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol). Katie will serve on the committee in a personal capacity, building on her deep expertise in climate policy and solutions.The GHG Protocol is a comprehensive global framework for measuring and managing greenhouse gas emissions. It provides widely used standards and tools that help businesses, governments, and other organizations track and report their emissions. The steering committee will provide strategic guidance and ensure adherence to standards being developed, playing a crucial role in global emissions accounting. Congratulations to Katie and to the global experts who join her on this important committee.
Learn more about the GHG Protocol Steering Committee here. Learn more
Johnson Controls Showcases the Future of Sustainable Data Center Technology >
JADEC is the largest and most advanced test lab of its kind in the world, spanning more than 7 acres and housing more than 20 labs designed to simulate diverse build loads, applications, and climates. The JADEC facility designs and tests some of the most important equipment enabling the exponential growth of AI, like energy efficient chillers, air handling units and heat pumps. Learn more
Other Events
Collaborative Pathways, Hudson Yards – Public-private partnerships for a sustainable built environment.
Effective climate action requires an urgent combination of shared business and government efforts around the world. Together with our partners Turner and Ceres and other notable guest speakers, we will showcase successful partnerships that have yielded tangible results in schools, residential buildings and beyond.
Power Positive – The Future of Sustainable Data Centers, The Amazon Climate Pledge Hub
There is a critical need for data centers that are resilient and sustainable. Together with Prologis, we will be sharing how companies are working together to build smart energy strategies that leverage advanced technology to future-proof sustainable data management.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
AON Risk & Resiliency Summit, AON, Wall Street – Enabling smart, sustainable cities through building decarbonization and resilient energy supply.
Our CEO George Oliver will speak on a CEO panel and Vijay Sankaran, chief technology officer, will host a roundtable discussion
Cracking the Code; The Race to Zero Carbon Requires Smart Buildings
Global sustainability leaders from Johnson Controls, KPMG, Microsoft and Prologis are teaming up with industry experts for an informative and collaborative session on how to achieve net zero buildings.
Venue: Microsoft Times Square
Our Team at Climate Week
George Oliver, Chief Executive Officer
“Decarbonizing the built environment is a critical piece of the climate change equation. Our engagements at Climate Week NYC are an important catalyst to accelerate action across the whole ecosystem. We’re proud to work with many pioneering organizations that are leading the way in smart and sustainable buildings, with strong ROIs. We have the tech for net zero, now it’s time to scale up.”
Katie McGinty, Vice President and Chief Sustainability and External Relations Officer
“We’re excited to demonstrate our leadership in the decarbonization of the built environment at Climate Week NYC. The business case for sustainability is becoming more widely understood and embraced for its numerous benefits - reducing costs and waste while optimizing organizations. Across the globe, our customers are proving how sustainability is good for business and good for the environment.”
Vijay Sankaran, Chief Technology Officer
“Digitalization and data-driven solutions are revolutionizing building operations, optimizing efficiency and leading to significant cost savings. By leveraging technology and analytics, organizations can identify areas of improvement, implement energy-saving measures, and reduce their carbon footprint.”
Explore more
Webinar: Cracking the code to smart, sustainable buildings
To understand the role of smart buildings in the race to net zero, Johnson Controls recently commissioned Forrester Consulting to evaluate the current state of smart buildings and the progress organizations are making toward their sustainability and cost-cutting goals.
Watch the webinar led by our sustainable buildings experts and get their take on the global study’s key findings. They discuss the priorities, progress and challenges faced by sustainability leaders like you. What will you learn?
Watch now
It takes a village to raise the bar
Budgets shrink but demands grow – that is what local governments face today. Challenges are set and big questions are asked, including: “How do you ensure a sustainable future for the next generation?” The village of Patchogue, on Long Island, New York, partnered with Johnson Controls to answer these kinds of questions. They took the smart leap and transformed the infrastructure of their tight-knit community to ensure it remains a beautiful place to live, work, learn and play. Did we mention they could save more than $8 million while doing so?
Learn moreBreakthrough insights from a global study
For many industries, buildings are the physical heart of the organization and need to be run as efficiently and sustainably as possible. This recent study, conducted by Forrester Consulting on behalf of Johnson Controls, reveals some of the biggest opportunities and immediate needs for business leaders looking to advance sustainability commitments.
Insights