State of the Planet

News from the Columbia Climate School

green building

  • Home Builders Fighting Energy Efficiency

    Home Builders Fighting Energy Efficiency

    The long-term importance of energy efficiency is clear, but short-term competing interests can make it difficult to pursue energy efficiency and decarbonization goals.

  • Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from NYC’s Buildings

    Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from NYC’s Buildings

    It is a massive effort to build the organizational capacity needed to make NYC’s buildings compliant with Local Law 97. Federal climate and infrastructure funds should be sought to subsidize the costs of this effort.

  • The How and Why of Green Building

    The How and Why of Green Building

    Buildings account for almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and the U.N. Environment Programme projects that if we continue with business as usual in the building sector, these emissions will double by 2030. Fortunately, green building is on the rise around the world.

  • ‘Green’ Geochemistry Building Wins Awards

    Leading Climate Studies, Sustainably

Collage of Turkiye beach scene and Columbia University Campus with text: UN Climate Change Conference COP31, Antalya, Turkiye, Nov 9-20, 2026

COP31, the 2026 United Nations Climate Change Conference, aims to advance dialogue, strengthen consensus, and accelerate climate action on a global scale. From November 9–20, 2026 in Antalya, Türkiye, heads of state, ministers, scientists, business leaders, and civil society will gather to advance efforts in emission targets, climate finance, and adaptation and resilience. Once again, our experts, students, and global thought leaders from Columbia Climate School and across Columbia University are contributing to key events, sharing insights, and helping shape the dialogue toward ambitious, science-based solutions. Learn More

  • Home Builders Fighting Energy Efficiency

    Home Builders Fighting Energy Efficiency

    The long-term importance of energy efficiency is clear, but short-term competing interests can make it difficult to pursue energy efficiency and decarbonization goals.

  • Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from NYC’s Buildings

    Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from NYC’s Buildings

    It is a massive effort to build the organizational capacity needed to make NYC’s buildings compliant with Local Law 97. Federal climate and infrastructure funds should be sought to subsidize the costs of this effort.

  • The How and Why of Green Building

    The How and Why of Green Building

    Buildings account for almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions and the U.N. Environment Programme projects that if we continue with business as usual in the building sector, these emissions will double by 2030. Fortunately, green building is on the rise around the world.

  • ‘Green’ Geochemistry Building Wins Awards

    Leading Climate Studies, Sustainably