ESG + Corporate Sustainability
Sustainable Built Environments
Healthier Built Environments
Our Work
Proven Results
We help our clients design and implement sustainability and ESG programs that measure, manage, and mitigate their adverse impacts; advance their sustainability journeys; and increase their operational performance.
Selected WorkSalesforce
Case Study
Salesforce
Case Study
In a letter to the industry, Jeffery Frost, Brightworks Sustainability, highlights the urgent need to address carbon emissions in the building sector. While operational emissions have seen progress, embodied carbon—especially from overlooked areas like construction materials, MEP/IT/AV systems, and furniture—remains a challenge. This article summarizes the application of the WRI GHG Protocol for Embodied Emissions going beyond traditional WBLCA calculations and revealing insights to guide the industry toward a 50% reduction by 2030 to stay on track for meeting net-zero carbon targets for 2050.
Practices Engaged:
ESG + Corporate Sustainability, Sustainable Built Environments, Carbon, Materials
Industry Sectors:
Real Estate Development, Real Estate Management, Operations & Maintenance
Building Types:
Offices (Interiors)
Read more
Ashland School District
School Bond Climate Action Plan
Ashland School District
School Bond Climate Action Plan
Ashland, OR
For this bond-funded facilities program, Brightworks designed project-specific energy efficiency and sustainability measures to align with the City of Ashland’s Climate and Energy Action Plan (CEAP). The project took advantage of Energy Trust of Oregon and City of Ashland incentives for building energy analysis and natural gas energy savings. Additionally, the City of Ashland water department provided incentives for low-flow plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems upgrades.
Practices Engaged:
Government Sector Sustainability, Sustainable Built Environments
Industry Sectors:
K-12 Education
Building Types:
Real Estate Portfolios, K-12 Schools
City of Sammamish
Climate Action Plan
City of Sammamish
Climate Action Plan
Sammamish, WA
Brightworks is developing the City of Sammamish’s greenhouse gas baseline and Climate Action Plan (CAP) in alignment with best practices, King County, Washington state, and partner cities. The plan includes recommended actions by city government and community members alike.
Practices Engaged:
Government Sector Sustainability
Industry Sectors:
Government & Public Service (Local / Municipal)
City of Santa Monica
Pico Branch Library
City of Santa Monica
Pico Branch Library
Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica’s LEED-Platinum-Certified Pico Branch Library boasts water cisterns, a photovoltaic solar array, extensive daylight in interior spaces, and views to the outdoors. The project also won the USGBC LA’s 2015 Innovation Award.
Practices Engaged:
Sustainable Built Environments
Industry Sectors:
Government & Public Service (Local / Municipal)
Building Types:
Libraries
Harvard University
Healthier Materials Program
Harvard University
Healthier Materials Program
Cambridge, MA
As part of its extensive work with Harvard’s Office for Sustainability, Brightworks supported the Harvard Healthier Building Academy (HHBA) in conducting material research, developing a campus-wide healthier materials program, and establishing material requirements for Harvard buildings. (Image: Kris Snibbe/Harvard University)
Practices Engaged:
Materials
Industry Sectors:
Building Products & Construction Materials, Higher Education (Private Four-Year+)
Building Types:
Campuses, Districts & Neighborhoods
IA Interior Architects
Corporate Sustainability & SBTi Program
IA Interior Architects
Corporate Sustainability & SBTi Program
Having worked together for over fifteen years, IA Interior Architects engaged Brightworks to help it inventory its GHG emissions and then become the world’s first architecture firm to make a commitment to set near-term and net-zero science-based targets via the Science Based Targets Initiative. (Photo by Ed Reeve)
Practices Engaged:
ESG + Corporate Sustainability
Industry Sectors:
Professional Services
Infrastructure Masons
iMasons Climate Accord
Infrastructure Masons
iMasons Climate Accord
Portland, OR
In April 2022, iMasons launched the iMasons Climate Accord (ICA), an industry initiative to transform the data center industry toward net-zero carbon. To spearhead this effort, Brightworks team members provide staff augmentation to the organization. In this capacity, Brightworks convenes iMasons stakeholders, establishes and manages day-to-day operations and special programs, and facilitates all working groups, including the iMasons Climate Accord governing body.
Practices Engaged:
Carbon
Industry Sectors:
Infrastructure, Professional Services, Technology (Non-Bio)
Building Types:
Data Centers
King County
Metro Transportation South Annex Base
King County
Metro Transportation South Annex Base
Tukwila, WA
In partnership with Jacobs, Brightworks is providing Living Building Challenge program management services for this new facility for King County Metro, the county’s public transportation agency. The South Annex Base will house up to 250 electric buses and make important progress towards achieving King County Metro’s goal of operating a zero-emissions fleet.
Practices Engaged:
Government Sector Sustainability, Sustainable Built Environments
Industry Sectors:
Government & Public Service (Local / Municipal), Transportation
Building Types:
Maintenance & Operations Facilities
Macerich
Tysons Corner Center Mixed-Use
Macerich
Tysons Corner Center Mixed-Use
McLean, VA
Working with Hines, Macerich continues to transform the Tysons Corner Center shopping mall into a mixed-use urban center. For over ten years, the once-solely-retail Tysons Corner mall site has been diversifying in uses. The site now includes offices, a 300-key Hyatt Regency hotel, and apartments.
Practices Engaged:
Sustainable Built Environments
Industry Sectors:
Real Estate Development, Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), Real Estate Management, Operations & Maintenance, Retail
Building Types:
Multifamily Residential, Malls & Shopping Centers, Retail
Meta
Corporate Headquarters
Meta
Corporate Headquarters
Menlo Park, CA
Commissioned by Mark Zuckerberg and designed by Frank Gehry, this new headquarters for Facebook provides an innovative open work environment for employees. The building also features a zoned rooftop landscape offering unmatched views of San Francisco Bay.
Practices Engaged:
Sustainable Built Environments
Industry Sectors:
Technology (Non-Bio)
Building Types:
Offices (Headquarters), Large-Scale Developments / Megadevelopments
INDUSTRY COVERAGE
Breadth & Depth Across 35 Industries
Our industry breadth is unmatched, covering almost every form of organized human endeavor. Our experience is also deep within industries, giving us specific insights that enable better solutions.
- Apparel, Clothing & Fashion
- Arts & Culture
- Automotive
- Aviation
- Banking, Insurance & Financial Services (Ex REITs)
- Biotechnology, Life Sciences & Pharmaceuticals
- Building Products & Construction Materials
- Construction & General Contracting
- Consumer Goods & Services
- Cosmetics & Personal Care
- Distribution, Logistics & Warehousing
- Energy
- Entertainment & Media
- Food Processing (Ag, Packaging, Distribution)
- Food Service (Grocery & Restaurants)
- Furniture & Homewares
- Government & Public Service (Federal)
- Government & Public Service (Local / Municipal)
- Government & Public Service (State)
- Healthcare & Social Services
- Higher Education (Community Colleges)
- Higher Education (Private Four-Year+)
- Higher Education (Public Four-Year+)
- Hospitality
- Infrastructure
- K-12 Education
- Manufacturing
- Natural Resources
- Professional & Trade Associations
- Professional Services
- Real Estate Development
- Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
- Real Estate Management, Operations & Maintenance
- Research & Development (R&D)
- Residential
- Retail
- Sports, Recreation & Fitness
- Technology (Non-Bio)
- Tourism & Travel
- Transportation
- Utilities
Who We Serve
Our clients include leaders in their industries, if not the world, as well as newcomers to sustainability.