June 2012 Interview with Jerry Yudelson in HVAC Industry News Magazine, Ecolibrium
Q&A: Jerry Yudelson
The keynote speaker at the ARBS seminar series this year in Melbourne, Jerry Yudelson is a renowned author, green building expert and sustainability consultant. The recurring theme of his presentation was one he’s touched upon in the past and doubtless will again. Indeed, it’s his mantra: if a building doesn’t perform, it can’t be green. Yudelson took time out to chat with Ecolibrium editor Matt Dillon.
ecolibrium: What do you think about our carbon tax?
Jerry Yudelson: I don’t know enough about it, but it sounds like they have gotten themselves in a box with the minimum price. And I think if it’s going to be a market-based instrument, then it ought to be one, not an artificial one. You collect the money then you give it back to people – what have you accomplished?
eco: A lot of people are asking the same question. One of the other things people are saying in Australia is why should we be ahead of the world? Your thoughts on that argument?
JY: Well someone has to be a leader, and one of the economic benefits is learning how to do this, and then exporting those products and service skills around the world. So there could be a very definite economic benefit ... if you don’t kill the economy first!
eco: A bit of gallows humour.
JY: That’s right: “We have to kill this patient in order to save him.”
eco: “Total carbon emissions count and should be the only energy points in rating systems.” That’s what you said in your presentation. Why should they be the only energy points in rating systems?
JY: Well if they’re based on actual performance, then you’ve incorporated commissioning, you’ve incorporated monitoring, you’ve incorporated all the other energy-related issues, you have actual performance levels. So, we’re going to all be evolving from these 6 star Green Star As-Design, to As-Built and then As-Functioning. And then ultimately your ratings are going to shift, so if the goal is to cut carbon and let’s just focus on that, then any way you do it is fine, just show me the numbers.
You know that movie, Jerry Macguire? “Show me the money”.
So, it forces the building owner, operator, to engage with the tenants, and to come up with creative ways to reduce use, to put everything on the same denominator of different climate zones, different levels of occupancy. And there’s a lot of work in doing that, but at least you know where you are going…
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