What Does “Net Zero” Mean in a Senior Living Context?

Achieving net zero GHG emissions by 2050 is an ambitious goal, but a critical one! In the US, there are about 2,000 Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), or Lifeplan Communities, with close to a million residents. [For more information on CCRCs, see: How Continuing Care Retirement Communities Work.]

If you include active adult/55+ communities, as well as assisted living, nursing, and memory-care facilities, the total number is many times greater. Every one of these communities and the individuals that are a part of them have a role to play in addressing the climate crisis.

While this challenge may seem daunting, senior living communities have unique advantages that set them apart from individual homeowners in their journey toward net zero emissions.

In Contrast: How Homeowners Might Address Carbon Neutrality

To understand the senior living community advantage, consider what a typical homeowner must navigate to address carbon neutrality.

From there, they would need to find contractors, apply for grants, and manage the full project independently.

Given the complexity and effort required, most homeowners are slow to take action.

What a Senior Living Community Can Do

Senior living communities benefit from shared infrastructure that allows for more streamlined sustainable development. These communities can implement energy efficiency measures on a broader scale, optimizing resources in ways that individual homeowners may struggle to achieve alone. While residents are essential in advocating for these efforts, the administration will need to take the lead in many areas.

Examples of Key Steps Senior Living Communities Can Take:

• Energy/GHG Audit: The senior living community can commission an audit for the whole community, and SSAFE provides a template for a request for proposals (RFP) for an Energy/GHG Audit. The results will identify priorities for contractors and efficiency improvements.
• Efficiency Improvements: Turnover of independent-living spaces every ten years or so creates an opportunity to implement energy upgrades alongside cosmetic improvements. SSAFE provides a checklist of energy-related improvements that may be considered at turnover.
• Financing: Community administrations have existing experience in managing financial decisions. The Energy/GHG Audit will help justify investments by outlining potential payback on efficiency improvements.
• Solar Power: Adding solar power can often be achieved without significant red tape, allowing for faster implementation compared to individual homeowners.

Through these coordinated steps, senior living communities can lead the way toward achieving net zero GHG emissions, while benefiting from the efficiencies that come with shared infrastructure and collaborative efforts.