Building Automation Stocks

Why It Matters

Buildings require energy; energy means emissions.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, buildings are responsible for roughly one-third of global energy-use and one-fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions. All of that energy is used in heating and air-conditioning systems, electrical wiring, water heating, lighting, information and communication systems, security and access systems, fire alarms, elevators, appliances, and plumbing. 

Most large commercial buildings have some type of centralized, computer-based building management system that monitors, evaluates, and controls energy-use. But in most of these buildings, management systems are controlled by the users and so are prone to human error, leading to energy inefficiencies.

Building management systems that are automated can improve heating and cooling efficiency by over 20% and energy use for lighting, appliance, etc. by 8%.

Whereas a conventional system tells building managers what action to take; building automation system (BAS) take action themselves. A BAS comes equipped with sensors, constantly rebalancing systems to optimize energy efficiency. Lights switch off when a room is empty, windows vent to improve air quality and temperature, heating and cooling systems adjust according to indoor and outdoor temperatures. 

New buildings can be equipped with BAS from the start. Existing buildings can be retrofitted to incorporate it and reap its benefits. Climate and human benefits are substantial. BAS can improve indoor air quality, which can contribute to increases in productivity of 8-11%. Project Drawdown estimates that, if most commercial buildings in the world adopts BAS (adoption rates vary by region), it can also help avoid up to 10.48 gigatons of CO2 emissions by 2050.

We need to accelerate the use of building automation systems.

Here is the list of publicly traded companies that offer BAS solutions on US stock markets. We chose companies that derive more revenue from this Drawdown solution than they do from fossil fuel-dependent products and services. And as always, we exclude penny stocks whose share prices were less than $0.50 in our last update.

If you are a Carbon Collective member, you own all of these companies through the Climate Index.