Everything you need to know about BERDO

What is BERDO?

BERDO, or Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance, is a legislation that requires large buildings in Boston to report their annual energy and water use and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions over time, until buildings hit net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Who Qualifies?

BERDO is designed to qualify buildings in cohorts.

Cohort 1: buildings with 35 or more units, as well as non-residential buildings over 35,000 square feet, bust get into compliance with BERDO regulations.

Cohort 2: buildings with 15 or more units, as well as non-residential buildings over 20,000 square feet will need to start taking action.

Event Cohort 1 (>35,000 sq ft or 35+ units) Cohort 2 (<35,000 sq ft or 15–34 units)
August 15, 2026
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data showing compliance with the first carbon cap.
  • Failure to meet the cap will result in a fine.
  • Submit annual energy and water data from the 2025 calendar year via ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and the BERDO Reporting Form.
May 15, 2027–2030
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • There are no financial penalties yet during these years.
May 15, 2031 (5-year milestone)
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data from 2030.
  • This is the first year Cohort 2 must meet a carbon cap.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
May 15, 2032–2035
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
May 15, 2036 (5-year milestone)
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
May 15, 2037–2040
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
May 15, 2041 (5-year milestone)
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
May 15, 2042–2045
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
May 15, 2046 (5-year milestone)
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
  • Submit third-party verified benchmarking data for the past 5 years.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds the tightened carbon cap.
May 15, 2047–2049
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
  • Submit energy and water usage data through ESPM and BERDO Reporting Form.
  • Penalties apply if building exceeds carbon cap.
May 15, 2050
  • Buildings must be net zero emissions.
  • Buildings must be net zero emissions.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

BERDO is among the strictest when it comes to penalizing building owners for non-compliance. Fines accumulate daily for each building that remains unfiled or over its carbon budget.

Alternative Compliance Payment (ACP):

  • $234/metric ton of CO2e for failure to meet emissions standards

Daily Fines:

Large Buildings (>35,000 sqft):

  • $1,000/day for failure to meet emissions standards

  • $300/day for missing the deadline

Small Buildings (<35,000 sqft)

  • $300/day for failure to meet emissions standards

  • $150/day for missing the deadline