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Support for Sustainability Strategy Formulation and Environmental Action Plans
Mitsubishi Corporation Urban Development, Inc.
2024
Sustainability Consulting
In addition to built environment international certification consulting services, Woonerf offers a comprehensive set of sustainability consulting services.
ESG Assessment
ESG Assessment and Disclosure Consulting
Business owners in the real estate sector (funds, investors, asset managers) are increasingly having to respond to evolving regulations and requirements for non-financial disclosure of the risks and opportunities associated with their businesses related to climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental destruction, and the dilution of social ties. To address these environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges, a variety of independent disclosure frameworks have been developed for use by business owners.
Woonerf can provide ESG due diligence and assist clients in understanding and using the following frameworks:
- EU Taxonomy and SFDR (Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation)
- Climate-related Financial Disclosure Task Force (TCFD)
-Disclosure of climate-related physical business risks and opportunities - Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD)
-Disclosure of Business Risks and Opportunities Related to Biodiversity Losses - International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB-SASB)
- Environmental Performance Benchmarking of Buildings - Arc
Consulting for decarbonization and low carbon
2030 and 2050 are milestones in achieving net zero to limit climate change to 1.5 to 2.0 degrees Celsius. Woonerf can help client organizations move their entire portfolio toward achieving net zero, using tools such as the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor (CRREM) and the Arc platform to develop a decarbonization roadmap.
Engineering and Technical Solutions
Life Cycle Carbon (LCCO2) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Whole building life cycle assessment is increasingly recognized by real estate holding companies and developers as investors and tenant companies are increasingly interested not only in carbon emissions associated with their investments and activities, but also in other environmental impact areas. LCA is a highly standardized framework and established methodology as a tool for quantifying the environmental impact of each impact area. However, the scope and standards vary among third-party organizations such as ISO, EN (European Standards), RICS, BRE, USGBC, and EPD program operators, so LCA objectives and processes must be carefully selected. Woonerf has LCA experts on staff to assist you in assessing compliance with these global standards.
・Construction LCA Calculation and Reporting
Woonerf provides full support from data collection to reporting as a third party for all scopes from embodied carbon to whole-life carbon throughout the entire building, including the structure, envelope, interior, mechanical equipment, etc.
・Type III EPD registration support
Woonerf specializes in sustainability support for the built environment and can assist building material manufacturers in conducting LCAs for Environmental Product Disclosure (EPD) registration.
EPD-registered building materials are recognized as a requirement for LEED, BREEAM, ILFI, and other certifications. We will support your project to be selected for sustainability certification by not only registering EPDs, but also encouraging EPD registration in a manner consistent with the requirements of LEED and other certification schemes.
Building Simulation
We offer comprehensive engineering services in building simulation, leveraging advanced tools and expertise to create a virtual representation of the building. By inputting relevant parameters and running simulations, we can assess the building's performance and generate data-driven insights, enabling informed decision-making to achieve the desired balance between sustainability performance objectives, occupant health and well-being, and project cost-effectiveness.
・International and national energy performance compliance verification
We specialize in energy simulation for leading green building rating systems such as LEED and BREEAM, as well as the Japanese BELS energy rating. Our energy simulations assess building performance against these rating systems' specific energy requirements and criteria, providing valuable insights to achieve certification goals.
・Sensitivity analysis and parametric studies
By running multiple simulations over multiple parameters such as insulation levels, glazing properties, window-to-wall ratios, HVAC system settings, or lighting levels, we can quantify how these changes affect operation energy consumption, GHG emissions, thermal comfort, or other relevant metrics. Sensitivity analysis and parametric studies are the basis of the LEED credit Integrative process and it can be helpful when many parameters are still uncertain at the early stage of design to help identify the most influential design factors and visualize simple comparisons over a range of design options.
・Daylighting and Views
By analyzing building design, window placements, shading systems, and glazing properties, we can help analyze natural light access while minimizing glare and undesirable heat gain, helping architects and designers make informed decisions to enhance occupant comfort and reduce reliance on artificial lighting.
・Thermal Comfort Analysis
By simulating different scenarios, our team can evaluate the effectiveness of passive design features, such as shading, natural ventilation, and thermal mass, as well as active systems like HVAC controls and zoning, to help identify the most efficient and effective strategies to enhance thermal comfort, according to recognized standards such as ASHRAE 55. Our simulations consider factors such as indoor air speed, temperature, thermal radiation, humidity levels, and occupant behavior.
・Demand Response Optimization
We help clients develop strategies for demand response programs by identifying peak demand periods and quantifying the potential for load management to find the most effective combination of actions. By modeling various demand response scenarios, such as pre-cooling, load shedding, or shifting energy-intensive operations to off-peak hours, our simulation team can estimate the energy, greenhouse gas, and cost savings associated with each strategy. We can determine if the proposed demand response actions are within acceptable limits and maintain comfort conditions for strategies such as changes in HVAC setpoints or equipment scheduling.
Energy Audit
Our energy audit services provide a thorough assessment of a building's energy usage, systems, and operations. Through on-site inspections, data analysis, and performance evaluations, we identify areas of energy waste and recommend cost-effective efficiency measures. Our audits encompass building envelope analysis, HVAC system evaluations, lighting assessments, and control optimization. We prioritize recommendations based on potential savings, payback periods, and environmental impact. To provide more confidence in the predicted savings, our team can rely on our energy simulation capability when necessary.
Commissioning
Commissioning refers to the process of verifying that a building functions as intended by the project owner, from the planning stage to operation after construction is completed. Woonerf can perform commissioning on behalf of the client to help ensure the performance originally required of the building, maintain a healthy and comfortable space, and realize an energy-efficient building environment.
Recent Projects
EPD Registration Support
OBAYASHI CORPORATION
2024
JPC Tomakomai EPD Registration Support
KUROSAWA CONSTRUCTION CO.,Ltd.
2023
EPD Registration Support
KUROSAWA CONSTRUCTION CO.,Ltd.
2023