The next generation of green building certification is here. Released in April 2025, LEED v5 introduces powerful updates that shift the industry

Rising electricity prices and increasing volatility are hitting commercial real estate owners directly on the bottom line. Inefficient buildings are especially exposed, with operating costs escalating year over year.

At the same time, building performance standards (BPS) are taking hold across the U.S. and Canada, bringing growing regulatory pressure alongside rising costs. If you own commercial real estate, BPS may soon impact your building’s value, operating cost, and compliance risk.

But focusing only on compliance misses the bigger picture. Inaction isn’t just a compliance risk—it’s a business risk. Acting strategically can protect value and reduce operating expenses while compliance comes as a byproduct.

Check out where you can find Stok onstage and in the crowd this season. Here’s a snapshot of our upcoming speaking engagements and conference attendance.

A rapidly evolving wave of global climate regulation is inspiring—and requiring—corporate action. While it may seem daunting, early action on credible, jurisdiction-ready disclosures positions companies to meet investor demands, avoid compliance risks, and lead with resilience in a low-carbon economy.

But how? Check out our Part 1 for a quick primer on these regulations and what they may mean for your company, then dive in to our recommended approach.

Climate disclosure is no longer optional—it’s a business imperative. A recent string of global climate regulation is driving companies to action, with many wondering how to effectively face the rapidly evolving requirements and spend the money to do so wisely.

But before we dive into action, first, a quick primer on these regulations. Then, in Part 2, a risk-based, future-ready approach to prepare.

Last week the Stok team joined leaders across the green building industry in Vancouver for the Canada Green Building Council’s Building Lasting Change conference, which marked the official launch of LEED v5 in Canada. Here are some highlights we heard—and why we think LEED v5 is well-positioned to address the needs of the market and advance sustainable buildings across Canada.

The industry’s go-to energy benchmarking tool may soon go dark—what now?
ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager is at risk of being phased out due to a proposed cut in funding for the EPA program within the Trump administration’s FY-2026 budget. The program could be eliminated as early as October 1, 2025. Nothing is final yet; however, it’s not too early to prepare.

AI touches every corner of our lives—from streaming your favorite show, to suggesting that funny meme, to protecting your home via your security system. Despite all these benefits, AI has one big problem: heat.

The explosive rise of AI has pushed U.S. data center electricity use from less than 2% of the grid in 2018 to projections as high as 12% by 2028. And with electricity consumption comes heat; cooling usually accounts for more than 10% of that load.

In April 2025, Stok received confirmation from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) that our targets were approved under the SBTi’s Small and Medium Enterprises Criteria (v1.0). With this validation, SBTi confirms that Stok’s targets are aligned with the ambition to limit global temperature rise to 1.5° Celsius, guiding our decarbonization efforts toward data-driven impact.