With voluntary climate reporting shifting to mandatory climate action, the impetus for companies to implement sustainable building solutions has increased. But taking the first steps toward building performance optimization can be hard: Where do you start? How should you invest to maximize impact and economics? In other words: what are the first steps to net zero?

1. Kick-start energy and emissions tracking to save energy and costs
Proven energy-efficiency solutions and innovative digital tools will save you substantial amounts of money. Know where your building stands and take the right action

Get started: Digital solutions, such as OpenBlue Enterprise Manager, help you take realistic steps to track, reduce and control energy use; accelerate progress to carbon reduction goals; and better understand impact. Now, featuring integrated generative AI tools that proactively provide recommendations on the most impactful energy savings projects, reducing the effort required to analyze large amounts of building data.

2. Optimize equipment performance
Combine the power of evolving technology, advisory and condition-based maintenance to create energy savings through cost avoidance and asset performance optimization.

Get started: Your building’s chiller is one of the most critical pieces of equipment in your facility and accounts for up to 40% of a building's electricity use. Optimize performance in your building with flexible digital services that scale to your building, operating style and budget.

3. Modernize without financial risk
Neither lack of capital nor lack of expertise should stop you from launching ambitious decarbonization programs. Modernize your facility and pay for equipment updates through energy savings and proven performance contracting with flexible payment options.

Get started: Johnson Controls Net Zero Buildings as a Service offerings are tailored to your business needs and goals. This can include an energy savings program, onsite solar, renewable energy supply, in addition to expert advisory and digital solutions.

4. Efficient heating and cooling
Building heating, cooling and ventilation operation is responsible for over 50% of energy consumption in residential and commercial buildings, thus representing a significant share of the nearly 40% of global GHG emissions attributable to the built environment.

Get started: Modernize with heat pumps. Heat pumps are three to five times more energy efficient than conventional heating systems. We offer a complete range of products, many of which exceed regulatory and market requirements by 30% or more, customized to suit your goals and requirements.

5. Qualify for incentives and meet regulations
Navigating sustainability incentives and regulations isn’t easy, but it’s critical in the long-term strategy of your buildings.

Get started: Tap into impactful and cost-effective sustainability programs to comply with Building Performance Standards and other standards globally. We’ll build your business case to meet your needs, and we’ll help balance the traditional conflict between cost reductions and sustainability.

Did you know? Since January 2000, Johnson Controls has partnered with businesses to implement performance contracts. These projects have directly delivered nearly 39 million metric tons in avoided CO2e and are set to save more than $8.4 billion for our customers through energy and operational savings over project terms. Learn more about our Net Zero Buildings as a Service offerings here or read our sustainability report here.