Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure
Boston’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) sets requirements for large buildings to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The goal is to reduce emissions gradually to net zero by 2050.
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For reporting questions:
Email or call Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Find support upgrading your building:
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Reporting Deadlines- May 15, 2023 - Deadline for reporting 2022 data.
How to Report to BERDO in 2023
To begin reporting to BERDO, please first review our detailed How to Report Guide. There are three main parts to reporting in 2023:
- Energy Star Portfolio Manager: Energy Star Portfolio Manager is used for reporting key building characteristics and energy and water usage.
- BERDO Reporting Form: This form captures data required for BERDO 2.0 that isn’t included in Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
- Third-Party Data Verification: Third-party verification of buildings is required for the first year of reporting under BERDO 2.0. If third-party verification was completed in 2022, it is not required in 2023.
Reporting Instructions, Guides, and Forms
Instructions, Guides, and FormsRegulations, Policies, and Guidance
Regulations, Policies, and GuidanceCovered buildings
BERDO applies to the following buildings:
- Non-residential buildings that are 20,000 square feet or larger.
- Residential buildings that have 15 or more units.
- Any parcel with multiple buildings that sum to at least 20,000 square feet or 15 units.
Buildings between 20,000 and 35,000 square feet or residential buildings with 15 to 35 units will need to begin reporting their energy in 2022 and going forward . They will not be subject to the emissions standards until 2031, reporting for 2030 emissions.
Upcoming events
Upcoming eventsPast Events
Complying with emissions standards
Emissions standards are reported in kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per square foot per year (kgCO2e/SF/yr). Mixed use buildings may adopt a blended emissions standard based on the area of each use.
| BUILDING USE | 2025- 2029 | 2030 - 2034 | 2035 - 2039 | 2040- 2044 | 2045-2049 | 2050 - |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assembly | 7.8 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0 |
| College / University | 10.2 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 1.2 | 0 |
| Education | 3.9 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0 |
| Food Sales and Service | 17.4 | 10.9 | 8.0 | 5.4 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Healthcare | 15.4 | 10.0 | 7.4 | 4.9 | 2.4 | 0 |
| Lodging | 5.8 | 3.7 | 2.7 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0 |
| Manufacturing / Industrial | 23.9 | 15.3 | 10.9 | 6.7 | 3.2 | 0 |
| Multifamily Housing | 4.1 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 0 |
| Office | 5.3 | 3.2 | 2.4 | 1.6 | 0.8 | 0 |
| Retail | 7.1 | 3.4 | 2.4 | 1.5 | 0.7 | 0 |
| Services | 7.5 | 4.5 | 3.3 | 2.2 | 1.1 | 0 |
| Storage | 5.4 | 2.8 | 1.8 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 0 |
| Technology / Science | 19.2 | 11.1 | 7.8 | 5.1 | 2.5 | 0 |
Building owners may develop and request approval for:
- Individual Compliance Schedules
- Request a Hardship Compliance Plans
The Ordinance outlines the basic requirements for these options and both must be approved by the Review Board. Upcoming regulations processes will identify the detailed requirements for each of these pathways. Learn more about regulations development and how you can engage here.
Retrofit Resource Hub
Want to make healthy, climate resilient, and low-carbon building improvements? We have information to help building owners, tenants, and contractors.
Data Disclosure
Future data disclosures will report on metrics related to environmental justice and the equitable implementation of BERDO. Staff, in conjunction with input from community members, are identifying appropriate metrics to track and report on over time. Initial research has been conducted to evaluate options for the development of environmental justice metrics for BERDO and has been summarized in a memo.
Who's Involved:
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For reporting questions:
Email or call Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
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Find support upgrading your building:
-
Reporting Deadlines
- May 15, 2023 - Deadline for reporting 2022 data.
