A new study from the University of New Hampshire (UNH) has quantified the global climate impact of BACnet for the first time.
BACnet is the global data communication protocol for Building Automation and Control networks.
Developed under the auspices of ASHRAE, it allows building systems including heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, lighting, life-safety and other systems to communicate and cooperate, driving the efficiency of the modern built environment.
The study reveals that BACnet-enabled building automation systems have mitigated 1.4 billion tons of CO₂ since 1995.
This is equivalent to removing 300 million cars from the road for one year or offsetting the entire annual emissions of Japan. The research highlights BACnet’s role as a catalyst for smart building adoption worldwide.
2025-26 ASHRAE president Bill McQuade said the study clearly shows the power of smart buildings and the critical role BACnet plays in reducing global carbon emissions.
“For nearly three decades, BACnet’s open, interoperable framework has enabled building owners and operators to optimize energy use, improve efficiency and deliver measurable climate impact,” he said.
“ASHRAE is proud that our standards and technologies are helping drive the transition to a low-carbon future, proving that the built environment can be a true leader in sustainability."
Looking ahead, projections indicate that BACnet systems could help avoid 2.06 billion tons of CO₂ by 2030, underscoring the critical role of smart, connected building technologies in achieving global sustainability goals.
The full study is available for download at on the ASHRAE Free Resources page: ashrae.org/freeresources.