*This article was contributed by Chris Thorman of Software Advice. All opinion, ideas, recommendations or information provided are solely from the author*

As the world's attention turns to Copenhagen, Denmark, for the United
Nation's summit on climate change, Software Advicewanted to highlight an advanced system for recording, forecast and
eventually reducing the carbon footprint of a building. It's called EMMA (Environmental Management Solution) and it's creator is sustainability consultancy Knowledge Global.

The EMMA system gathers environmental data from a variety of electronic monitors inside and outside of a building. This data is aggregated by a variety of software applications and displayed in a digital user interface. The information provides an ongoing snapshot of the “health” of the building.

Metrics the EMMA system measures and how they are tracked include:

- Gas, water, electricity use, waste and weather information through the
monitoring of meters
- Human traffic through security systems and thermal imaging technology
similar to what shopping centers use
- Occupant demographics through tenant profiling and human resources
- Building space through floor plans and tenant agreements
- Well-being of occupants through online surveys

This information is displayed on a television monitor in the lobby of building's, constantly reminding visitors if they're actions are adding to the carbon output of the building or reducing it.

Wireless "eggs" are also strategically placed throughout the building, glowing red or green based on the building's energy use.

To read about this innovative carbon tracking solution, visit: This is the
Future of Green Building Management.