Marika Erdely

As the global urgency to address climate risk accelerates, organizations are under mounting pressure to meet evolving building performance standards (BPS) and climate disclosure regulations. This shift is driving demand for skilled professionals—particularly Certified Energy Managers (C.E.M.), Certified Energy Auditors (C.E.A.), and Certified Carbon Auditors (C.A.P.).Across the country, cities and states are rapidly adopting Building Performance Standards that require data verification, and assessments or audits from program approved, licensed professionals. As policy framework is taking shape, AEE certified energy auditors and managers top the list. At the same time, California is entering its first reporting year for SB 253, the Corporate Climate Accountability Act. This landmark U.S. regulation requires large companies to disclose greenhouse gas emissions, solidifying the need for qualified carbon auditors. These professionals ensure accurate emissions reporting, enhanced transparency, and compliance with CA SB 253 and global reporting such as the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).This session will highlight the essential role energy and carbon auditors play in advancing a low carbon future, examine the expanding career opportunities in this field, and outline pathways for professionals looking to lead in the next era of climate and energy accountability.

This session explores how tracking a building’s energy performance across its full lifecycle creates measurable value for owners, operators, and design teams. Beginning in the design phase, we examine how energy modeling establishes estimated efficiency targets and informs key decisions around systems, envelope, and controls. The discussion then follows the transition from design to construction, highlighting how these assumptions are validated using ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® design project, and benchmarking metrics.

Once occupied, the focus shifts to monitoring actual energy use, identifying performance gaps, and continuously improving operational efficiency through data-driven insights. Using a client case study from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi we will illustrate how climate, occupancy patterns, and local utility considerations shape outcomes. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of the emerging landscape of building lifecycle management services and how integrated energy tracking, from concept through operations, supports performance verification, compliance, and long-term sustainability goals.