It may surprise you to know that 63 percent of greenhouse emissions in the Kansas City region come from buildings. Community Builders of Kansas City is working with Building Energy Exchange Kansas City (BE-Ex KC), a joint effort by Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Climate Action KC, on a range of initiatives to help the region achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“This is the first time there has been a dedicated focus on educating stakeholders and implementing efforts for net-zero emissions on The East Side and CBKC is excited to once again serve as a pioneer for the community,” said Emmet Pierson, Jr., CBKC president and CEO.
BE-Ex KC Executive Director Ashley Sadowski approached Pierson to explore working with nonprofits and community developers to upgrade existing housing stock using The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 and other available green funding. Upgrades to existing properties include more energy efficient windows and appliances, adding insulation and applying solar panels.
“CBKC’s extensive portfolio of affordable housing and commercial properties offer an exceptional opportunity to pilot high performance, low carbon technologies and showcase what can be done,” said Sadowski. “Not only do these upgrades increase the longevity of these buildings but can also lower energy costs and increase health outcomes for East Side residents and tenants.”
BE-Ex KC is currently seeking funding for a “community classroom” which would gather local community development corporations, community leaders and non-profits together to organize around the several billion dollars of federal funding dedicated to upgrading buildings in underserved communities.
“The unprecedented level of federal funding could be an amazing community development opportunity for Kansas City if neighborhood organizations are equipped with the capacity and knowledge necessary to tap into these dollars,” said Sadowski. “With the extensive development expertise of Emmet’s team, we think CBKC would be a perfect organization to take a leadership role in this initiative.”
BE-Ex KC was created in 2021 with a mission to engage and educate development stakeholders on how to construct high-performance buildings, fill financing gaps and support the region in meeting its climate goals. In partnership with over 150 elected leaders and 1,000 volunteers, Climate Action KC and MARC developed a Regional Climate Action Plan that presents a comprehensive strategy to achieve three timelines for achieving net-zero: 2035 for all municipal government activities, 2040 for all buildings (2030 for all new buildings) and 2050 economy-wide.
BE-Ex KC initiatives include the Rising Trades Contractor Accelerator, a curated business program designed to support diverse entrepreneurs in green construction and the high-performance buildings industry. Through customized coaching, strategic pairings with professional service providers and mentors and practical education, it provides business counsel and connections to accelerate Black, Indigenous and People of Color as leaders of sustainable construction.
Other BE-Ex KC initiatives are working with local and national capital providers to leverage federal funding for communities that have been historically undercapitalized and collaborating with global organizations to replicate successes from experts around the world.