Embodied Carbon & Sustainability in the Built Environment – From the Inside Out

Though estimates vary, it is generally accepted that, globally, the construction sector is responsible for around 40 per cent of total carbon emissions. To address this situation, and avoid the potentially catastrophic consequences of climate change, the World Green Building proposes nothing less than total decarbonisation of the built environment by 2050.

To this end, it envisages a world in which “buildings are highly energy-efficient and grid-responsive, powered by electricity and/or renewable energy, and addressing whole life cycle carbon emissions.”

In this context, in this session of CPD Live, we consider the pathways to achieving the goal of a genuinely sustainable global construction sector. Beginning by defining the terms ‘Operational Carbon’ and ‘Embodied Carbon’, our speakers explain how these are assessed and measured, and just as importantly, how architects and designers can identify products and materials that perform well in this sense.

They explain the role that lifecycle assessments, environmental product declarations (EPDs), environmental certification, and the notion of circularity play in the move towards a more sustainable built environment.

At the end of this presentation, you should be able to:

• Quantify the degree to which the built environment contributes to carbon emissions and the problem of climate change
• Define the carbon-related terms, ‘operational carbon emissions’ and ‘embodied carbon emissions’
• Define the term ‘circularity’ and explain how it differs from the traditional ‘linear’ approach to production
• Identify the ways specifiers can identify building materials and design approaches that are genuinely sustainable

This presentation will deliver outcomes related to the following Competency/s from the National Standard of Competency for Architects 2021:

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PRACTICE MANAGEMENT AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT

PC 10 – Demonstrate understanding of the whole life carbon implications of procurement methods, materials, components and construction systems.

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA FOR PROJECT INITIATION AND CONCEPTUAL DESIGN

PC 31 – Be able to identify, analyse and integrate information relevant to environmental sustainability – such as energy and water consumption, resources depletion, waste, embodied carbon and carbon emissions – over the lifecycle of a project.

PC 35 – Be able to assess operational and embodied carbon implications of materials, components, construction systems and supply chains (including transport) to achieve net zero whole life carbon when developing design concepts. This includes integrating relevant consultant expertise and advising on the impact of chosen materials, components and systems on carbon outcomes.

PC 45 – Be able to nominate and integrate quality and performance standards with regard to selected materials, finishes, fittings, components and systems, considering the impact on Country and the environment, and the whole life carbon impact of the project. This includes integrating life cycle assessments and other expertise and advice from consultants.