Boston is the home of the first higher education institution in the United States, and a hub of the nation’s scientific research and innovation. It’s also the largest and fastest-growing life sciences market in the country, even as state and local policymakers have prioritized climate change mitigation and required building performance reporting. I2SL will kick off the conference by examining how climate change policy and economic growth in the research arena can not only co-exist, but enhance their common goals.

Following a welcome by our New England Chapter and update on I2SL’s tools and programs to reduce energy use, costs, and emissions in labs, two local officials will speak about their efforts to promote energy efficiency and climate change policy in the region: Boston Chief Climate Officer Brian Swett, and Julie Wormser, Chief Climate Officer for the City of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Boston and Cambridge are working to realize their climate change mitigation goals through building reporting and performance standards; speakers will discuss how energy efficiency and emissions reduction can enhance the growth of the life sciences industry and improve lab buildings in the region.

A panel of local lab owners will share their views on how research organizations are establishing and reaching sustainability targets to comply with local regulations and advance their own goals. They will discuss what motivates energy efficiency and emissions reduction in laboratory facilities, as well as the strategies they're using to lower operating costs and reduce their carbon footprint.