Healthy Buildings, Smarter Leases: Climate Law in Action

Adapt: Climate Change and the Built Environment

Nicole DeNamur joins the podcast this week, along with co-hosts Jessica Mederson and Monika Serrano, they talk about emerging state and city climate-related laws, climate-aligned contracts and leases, and how they intersect with issues like water shortages, indoor air quality, occupant health and other climate mitigation and adaptation strategies.

Nicole DeNamur (she/her), J.D., Hon. AIA, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Ambassador, LEED Green Associate, is the founder of Climate Aligned Law, a climate-focused law firm, and Sustainable Strategies, a consulting firm dedicated to creating healthy, inclusive spaces through sustainability. With over a decade of experience litigating construction and insurance matters, Nicole brings a rare combination of legal expertise and deep knowledge of the real estate and sustainability sectors. She helps clients navigate building performance standards, draft climate-aligned contracts and leases, and develop practical, risk-aware solutions that support ESG goals.

Nicole also teaches sustainable development at the University of Washington and environmental health at the Boston Architectural College. She has been recognized as an Honorary Member of the American Institute of Architects (Seattle, 2021), named Educator of the Year by the International WELL Building Institute (2022), and honored as an Outstanding Voice of Pride by the Puget Sound Business Journal (2023).

Episode links:

The Chancery Lane Project: https://chancerylaneproject.org/

Responsible Contracting Project: https://www.responsiblecontracting.org/

COGFx Study: https://thecogfxstudy.com/

WELL Building Standard: https://www.wellcertified.com/

Healthy Buildings book: https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674278363

There are no accidents book - https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/There-Are-No-Accidents/Jessie-Singer/9781982129682