The group behind the “net zero” building petition – which would force all major construction in the city to take steps against adding greenhouse gases to the environment – is inviting the business community to a meeting Aug. 14.

Real estate developers, members and representatives of organized labor, city planners and anyone else interested in the initiative are invited “to participate in an open discussion about the challenges and opportunities presented by the plan,” said Mike Connolly, whose name is on the net-zero petition introduced in late June.

The petition was initiated by the Green Cambridge nonprofit and drafted by longtime city sustainability activists John Pitkin and Quinton Zondervan, chairman of the city’s Climate Protection Action Committee. Connolly said he and other backers of the petition have met with some stakeholders already and are reaching out to more.

“We think this Aug. 14 meeting will be an important opportunity for us to extend this dialog in a public setting,” said Connolly, who’s identified as volunteer campaign manager for the Cambridge Committee for Net Zero Buildings. “I am eager to move beyond the talking points and the assertions. That’s why we are inviting everyone to the table to roll up our sleeves and do the math for net zero.”

The meeting is from 7 to 9 p.m. Aug 14 in the boardroom of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, 1575 Cambridge St. Participants are asked to call (617) 981-6235 or post a comment to this page to request specific discussion points or agenda items.