Hebrew University graduate student Nachi Brodt doesn’t just talk the talk – he truly walks the walk. And not just him – but the entire company he founded, KVS (Kayamut Ve’Shefa, meaning Sustainability and Prosperity). Founded in 2015, the company focuses on construction, industry, and R&D & entrepreneurship. “We measure every single action in terms of greenhouse gas emissions,” Nachi says. “We want to be 100% sure that we are making a positive impact on the environment.”
“True, we are a small company operating in a small country. But each of us is responsible, as citizens of planet Earth, to address the climate crisis however we can. KVS is drawing upon, and contributing to, the global science in the field.”
KVS is developing methods for measuring the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted throughout a building’s lifecycle, starting with the materials used. “We work with the most up-to-date green building standards,” Nachi explains. “But we’re also constantly improving them, making them a better tool for climate mitigation.” To that end, he is developing precise scientific methods for measuring GHG emissions in buildings.
“Our modus operandi is ‘measure, reduce, remove, repeat’ – and do an even better job next time.”
Nachi takes a very comprehensive approach. He remembers a particular client who wanted to assess the environmental impact of installing new, energy-efficient lighting. “I insisted on including the environmental cost of removing and dumping the old fixtures, manufacturing and transporting the new ones, and their maintenance,” he recalls. “I was focused on lowering their carbon footprint, rather than just lowering their electricity bill.” The client vanished.
KVS’s activity goes beyond the housing sector. While researching carbon sequestration, the company realized the immense potential of nature-based carbon removal using wetlands. The result was Terrra, a spin-off company that helps landowners turn their land into carbon sinks, while enabling companies to buy carbon credits.
But KVS doesn’t just help others reduce their GHG emissions; the company itself has a net-zero carbon footprint—making it the first company in Israel to achieve this goal. Their centrally located offices are bike/public-transit accessible. Nobody drives to work. Their furniture is all second-hand. And every year, they calculate and offset their own carbon footprint, in addition to calculating their clients’ reduction. “Our clients get full credit for their reduction—but we take responsibility for our own operations,” he says. In 2021, the company’s activities resulted in 17.8 tons of GHGs, which were offset by carbon credits and supporting local green startups. At the same time, their consultation services prevented 823.4 tons of GHGs from entering the atmosphere –a win-win situation.
Nachi is currently working towards his master’s degree in public health, with an emphasis on environmental health. He enjoys studying at the Hebrew University-Hadassah Braun School of Public Health and Community Medicine and says, “my studies have helped me better understand climate science and gain an even deeper understanding of the climate change crisis. Practically, I’m learning to improve my research and tools, by incorporating public health concerns into addressing the climate crisis.