Published September 9, 2026
Thank you to our lead sponsor, Carrier!
The building industry has developed increasingly sophisticated ways to measure reductions in energy use and carbon emissions. But how can we demonstrate that our work is making people’s lives better?
In this episode of Building Tomorrow, we speak with author Gayathri Unnikrishnan about her new book, People Positive, coming out September 22. Gayathri argues that a major gap in sustainability is in how the industry measures human impact. While the industry has pointed to the improved social and health outcomes of sustainability, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction, it has not focused the same efforts on people. People Positive defines the next frontier of climate work as building better instruments for measuring and communicating how buildings, materials, supply chains, and places affect people.
Speakers
Danielle Donnelly
Associate Director, Programs and Engagement
Danielle is responsible for programming, engagement, and public programs. She previously worked at the Community Preservation Corporation where she managed their Sustainability Platform providing technical assistance to borrowers and lenders and produced educational resources aimed at furthering adoption of high-performance building standards and electrification. She also managed CPC’s administration of Home’s and Community Renewal’s Climate Friendly Homes Fund; a $250M grant program dedicated to electrifying existing multifamily affordable housing and buildings in NYSERDA Disadvantaged Communities. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and English from The University of Connecticut.
Gayathri Unnikrishnan
Founder, Liveable
Gayathri Unnikrishnan is the founder of Liveable, a social sustainability advisory firm working at the intersection of impact measurement, built environment strategy, and sustainability communications. She previously helped develop the WELL Building Standard while at the International WELL Building Institute and has worked across product development, manufacturing, design, and social impact.
Her work focuses on helping organizations in the built environment measure and communicate their impact on people in rigorous, practical, and useful ways for decision-making.
Liveable is currently serving as the social sustainability partner to the International Living Future Institute in developing the new Declare Equity label, with a focus on fair labor practices in the building product supply chain.
Resources
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Hashtags: #ClimateGoals #BuildingDecarbonization #EnergyEfficiency
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