We can produce all the renewable energy we want, but the march to net zero will take an unnecessarily long time if all that power is being used in inefficient buildings. Buildings are responsible for about 40% of energy related carbon emissions around the world. That means any conversation about reducing emissions and achieving net-zero goals will have to feature insights about the efficient construction and – perhaps more importantly – operation of buildings. Mark Reinbold, vice president of Global Sustainable Infrastructure at Johnson Controls, joins the show to discuss what he gleaned from attending COP28 in Dubai about how business executives and other experts are factoring infrastructure into their sustainability strategies. Mark shares some of the key findings from research Johnson Controls conducted with Forrester Consulting about smart building trends and outlines the role technologies like artificial intelligence are playing amid the expansion of the concept of net zero buildings-as-a-service. Highlights from Mark Reinbold Conversations about sustainability with global leaders - (2:08) Common roadblocks to more sustainable infrastructure - (6:39) Have global gatherings like COP and Davos 'jumped the shark'? - (8:19) Any deal follow-up from COP28 - (10:26) Expanding Net Zero-as-a-Service - (13:10) Key takeaways from Forrester Research on smart building trends - (16:20) Examples of artificial intelligence delivering for smart buildings - (19:16) Showcase project: University of North Dakota - (23:41) How renewable energy is factoring into projects - (26:16) Sign up for the Renewable Energy SmartBrief Follow the show on Twitter @RenewablesPod