Verdani Partners and Nova Group, GBC Advance Strategic Collaboration to Support Building Performance, Compliance, and Decarbonization Execution
Verdani Partners and Nova Group, GBC are advancing a strategic collaboration designed to help real estate clients move from sustainability strategy and regulatory exposure analysis into technical execution, implementation planning, and performance improvement.
As building performance standards, energy regulations, and performance-based sustainability expectations continue to evolve across real estate markets, owners and operators need clearer pathways to assess exposure, close data gaps, plan for compliance, and take practical action. The Verdani–Nova collaboration is designed to support that need through a coordinated, client-first delivery model that combines Verdani’s client-facing advisory, program management, and reporting expertise with Nova’s technical execution capabilities.
Nova's participation in the Verdani Partner Network formalizes and expands a successful collaboration that began in 2021, formalizing a collaborative model that connects Verdani's portfolio-wide sustainability strategy, program management, and advisory services with Nova's asset-specific, technical expertise. Together, Verdani and Nova have developed reporting and analytical approaches that provide clients with the context, insights, and technical recommendations needed to prioritize investments and drive measurable decarbonization outcomes. By strengthening this connection, Verdani clients gain access to seamless support that links strategic planning with on-the-ground implementation, ensuring technical recommendations are directly aligned with broader portfolio objectives and long-term sustainability goals.
Under the collaboration, Verdani will continue to serve as the primary client-facing advisor and program lead, supporting strategy, project management, client communication, filings, and overall delivery oversight. Nova will provide technical execution support where needed, including building performance standards support, energy audits, retro-commissioning for requirements such as EBEWE in Los Angeles and LL97 in New York City, energy management plans, operations and maintenance plans, data-heavy analysis, and engineering support.
“Many real estate clients are no longer asking whether building performance standards and performance-based requirements will affect them. They are asking how to move from exposure analysis to practical execution,” said Zachary Brown, Executive Director of Sustainability at Verdani Partners. “Our collaboration with Nova Group, GBC strengthens Verdani’s ability to provide coordinated, client-facing advisory support backed by additional technical execution capacity.”
The collaboration will support a layered service model for clients, including initial screening and exposure analysis, compliance strategy and verification, technical assessments, documentation support, implementation planning, and coordination with implementation partners where appropriate. The model is intended to give clients a clear point of contact while allowing Verdani and Nova to coordinate technical work, project workflows, data needs, and delivery responsibilities behind the scenes.
A key focus of the collaboration will be helping clients address common execution challenges that can delay compliance and implementation, including ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager ownership and updates, utility data gaps, building area corrections, target adjustments, documentation requirements, retro-commissioning needs, and clear escalation paths for unresolved data or compliance issues. By clarifying responsibilities earlier in the process, Verdani and Nova aim to help clients move more efficiently from strategy to action.
“Many real estate clients are no longer asking whether building performance standards will affect them. They are asking how to move from exposure analysis to practical execution. Our collaboration with Nova Group, GBC strengthens Verdani’s ability to provide coordinated, client-facing advisory support backed by additional technical execution capacity.”
— Zach Brown, Executive Director of Sustainability, Verdani Partners
“Nova Group, GBC is excited to collaborate with Verdani Partners to help real estate clients navigate complex building performance requirements with clear technical analysis, practical workflows, and implementation-focused support. Nova excels at asset-level assessments and recommendations. Verdani ties these technical findings into the whole portfolio strategy to provide a strategic action plan that advances client goals.”
— Keely Felton, CEA, Nova Group, GBC
The Verdani–Nova collaboration is part of the Verdani Partner Program, a client-first framework designed to help clients access trusted technology, data, technical, and implementation resources based on their portfolio needs, regulatory exposure, performance goals, and sustainability strategy. Verdani evaluates partner involvement based on client needs and engagement fit and remains vendor-non-exclusive in its advisory approach.
As sustainability reporting, building performance standards, and decarbonization expectations continue to mature, Verdani and Nova see an opportunity to help real estate clients prepare earlier, coordinate more effectively, and strengthen the connection between compliance planning and measurable performance improvement.
Nova Group, GBC
Nova Group, GBC is an international multidisciplinary advisory firm providing environmental, engineering, energy, sustainability, construction, and valuation services throughout North America and around the world. Founded in Minnesota in 1987, Nova is a Certified B Corporation™ and General Benefit Corporation committed to balancing purpose and profit while helping clients manage risk, enhance asset value, and achieve their environmental and business objectives. With a global network of experts and a client-focused approach, Nova delivers innovative, cost-effective solutions across the commercial real estate, infrastructure, and built environment sectors.
About Verdani Partners
Verdani Partners is a leading real estate performance, decarbonization, and resilience advisor helping commercial real estate owners and investors strengthen asset value, manage risk, meet reporting and regulatory demands, and accelerate long-term portfolio value. With nearly two billion square feet under guidance and more than 25 years of experience, Verdani helps high-performance portfolios move from strategy into action across performance improvement, capital planning, compliance readiness, green building certifications, strategic communications, stakeholder reporting, and asset-level implementation. By connecting sustainability, risk, regulation, and operations, Verdani helps clients make stronger portfolio decisions and turn plans into measurable progress.
Media Contact
Nick Gillett
Senior Communications Manager
Verdani Partners
213–281–5990
Copyright © 2026 Verdani LLC. All rights reserved. The information contained within this publication was developed using Verdani’s general professional judgment. This publication was prepared without reference to any specific property or scenario and is not intended to substitute for the professional advice of an attorney, engineer, or other climate change professional. Content and data subject to change. Similar outcomes are not guaranteed based on prior results. Neither Verdani LLC nor its employees or agents can be held responsible for the use or misuse of the information contained herein, and Verdani LLC hereby disclaims any liability for damages arising from the use of this information, including without limitation, direct, indirect, or consequential damages including personal injury, property loss, loss of revenue, loss of opportunity, or other loss.
Verdani Partners has over 25 years of expertise and manages nearly two billion square feet of real estate, delivering proven strategies that help firms lead in sustainability and outperform benchmarks. We help our clients turn sustainability commitments into action through sustainability planning, energy management, decarbonization, compliance, and strategic communications. Partner with us to drive real impact and lasting value.