In the face of escalating climate change, Boston has taken a bold step to decarbonize its building sector through the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). In a city where over 70% of emissions come from buildings, Boston’s BERDO positions architects at the forefront of a movement toward sustainable architecture and climate justice. With emissions limits beginning in 2025 and tightening every five years, architects must reimagine the role of design in shaping Boston's low-carbon future.

Below, we explore how architects can lead compliance and innovation under BERDO, offering practical guidance for retrofits and new construction alike. We'll unpack the intersection of design, policy, and community impact—and why now is the time for the architecture profession to take a decisive role in citywide decarbonization.

Understanding BERDO and Its Impact on Sustainable Design

BERDO requires large buildings—those over 20,000 square feet or with 15+ residential units—to disclose their energy and water usage annually and meet greenhouse gas emissions limits starting in 2025. The limits are performance-based and grow more stringent over time, encouraging building owners to upgrade systems or purchase allowances if they exceed caps.

While the ordinance places legal obligations on owners, the design community plays a crucial supporting role. Architects are essential to identifying and implementing design strategies that improve building performance, reduce emissions, and enhance occupant comfort. Whether through envelope upgrades, passive design, or electrification, architects can embed BERDO compliance into every phase of design thinking.

Why Architects Are Central to BERDO's Success

BERDO may be a policy, but its success depends on design. Architects influence form, materials, systems coordination, and user behavior—each a major factor in operational carbon. By embracing this leadership role, architects can:

• Integrate energy and emissions modeling early in the design process

• Collaborate with engineers to select high-performance systems

• Advocate for embodied carbon reduction in tandem with operational carbon

• Ensure equitable outcomes for vulnerable communities most affected by climate change

Rather than viewing BERDO as a constraint, architects should see it as a catalyst for innovation. It challenges the profession to embrace a holistic, systems-based approach to sustainability that goes beyond compliance to create truly regenerative places.

Retrofitting for Performance: Strategies for Existing Buildings

Because BERDO applies to existing buildings, much of Boston’s compliance burden will fall on retrofits. Architects are critical in assessing existing conditions and recommending solutions that reduce energy use without sacrificing character or usability.

Envelope Improvements

• Upgrade insulation in roofs and walls where feasible

• Replace or seal aging windows to reduce air infiltration

• Add shading elements to reduce solar gain

Passive Strategies

• Maximize natural ventilation through operable windows or stack effect design

• Incorporate daylighting to reduce electric lighting loads

• Adjust program placement to align occupancy patterns with thermal performance

Systems Coordination

• Collaborate with MEP engineers on heat pump integration and controls optimization

• Plan phased retrofits that minimize tenant disruption

Retrofits also offer an opportunity to align with historic preservation efforts, demonstrating that sustainability and heritage can go hand in hand.

New Construction and the Path to Net-Zero Under BERDO

For architects working on new buildings in Boston, BERDO is both a challenge and a design opportunity. New projects can be designed to exceed emissions standards from day one, leveraging:

• All-electric systems: Heat pumps, induction cooking, and electric DHW eliminate onsite combustion

• Low-carbon materials: Choose carbon-smart products for structural and finish assemblies

• Renewables: Maximize rooftop solar and design for future grid interconnection

• Energy modeling: Use early-stage simulation tools to optimize massing, orientation, and envelope

Designing for long-term BERDO compliance also means thinking about flexibility. New buildings should be adaptable, allowing for upgrades as technology and policy evolve.

Addressing Equity Through Sustainable Design

BERDO was crafted with environmental justice in mind. Communities of color and low-income neighborhoods disproportionately suffer from building-related pollution and energy burdens. Architects have a responsibility to design for equitable outcomes.

• Prioritize upgrades in affordable housing and public-serving buildings

• Engage community members early in the design process

• Design for resilience: ensure thermal comfort during power outages

• Improve indoor air quality with low-toxicity materials and ventilation

The Equitable Emissions Investment Fund—part of BERDO—supports these goals by reinvesting penalties into frontline communities. Architects can advocate for and help implement these investments in ways that meet real local needs.

Beyond Compliance: BERDO as a Design Ethic

BERDO is more than a regulatory framework—it is a design ethic for the 21st century. It calls on architects to:

• Design not just for beauty or function, but for emissions

• See building performance as a human right and a climate solution

• Engage with policy, not just as observers, but as influencers

Boston's BERDO ordinance may be local, but it echoes global trends. Cities worldwide are embracing emissions caps, building performance standards, and carbon accountability. By mastering BERDO today, architects position themselves for leadership tomorrow.

The architectural profession stands at a crossroads: respond passively to mandates like BERDO or proactively lead the way to a decarbonized, equitable built environment. Through design excellence, technical expertise, and deep community engagement, architects can turn this policy into purpose.

BERDO is not a limit—it is a launchpad. It opens the door for sustainable architecture to become the new norm in Boston and beyond. The question is not can architects lead this transition, but will they?

Cove Sustainability and BERDO

At Cove Sustainability, we partner with architecture and development teams to turn complex climate policies like BERDO into actionable design strategies. Through our consulting services, we guide projects from assessment to implementation—offering expertise in energy modeling, electrification, low-carbon materials, and policy alignment. Whether you're retrofitting an existing building or designing a new one, our team is here to help you meet emissions targets while achieving high-performance, resilient, and equitable outcomes. Learn more about how we can support your BERDO compliance and decarbonization goals at cove.inc.