Pittsburgh, PA
The Life Cycle Assessment is a method used to evaluate the environmental impact of a product from the start to the end of its life cycle. This involves comparing different materials and products to determine their performance. When incorporating embodied carbon into decision-making, it's essential to use a standardized life cycle analysis for consistency across various projects and practices. The Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA) assesses the environmental impact of buildings by measuring embodied carbon, operational carbon, and other relevant factors. The evaluation compares the existing building with the newly designed replacement building. During this session, attendees will learn what embodied carbon is, how it impacts the GHG reduction goals, and how to use evaluation methods to compare existing buildings with newly designed replacement buildings based on the chosen design and materials.
Instructors
Heather Goetsch, Research Engineer, National Renewable Energy Laboratory Read Bio
Dr. Goetsch is a Research Engineer in the Building Technologies and Science Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Her research focuses on decarbonization and applying circular economy principles to the building sector. She is particularly interested in applying these principles to building design, innovative low-impact material use and reuse, waste reduction and management, and off-site construction. Her research also includes determining and overcoming industry barriers to decarbonization.
Saif Sadeq, Principal of Sustainability and High-Performance Green Buildings, Noblis Read Bio
Saif Sadeq, Noblis is a Principal of Sustainability and High-Performance Green Buildings at Noblis, an independent science, technology and strategy nonprofit organization dedicated to creating forward-thinking technical and advisory solutions in the public interest. In his role, Saif advises clients on a wide array of technical sustainability areas with focus on data analytics, ESG, sustainable design, and green buildings. Saif plans and develops tools to analyze sustainability metrics and create strategies to improve organizational sustainability and reduce greenhouse gas footprints. Additionally, Saif advises clients on implementing effective ESG frameworks and strategies on life cycle, asset, portfolio, and organizational levels.
Don Horn, Deputy Director, GreenHornStrategies Read Bio
Don Horn is a leader in green building policy development and advocacy, impacting national standards and architectural practice to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of buildings. As Deputy Director of GSA's Office of Federal High-Performance Green Buildings, Don championed environmentally responsible decision-making, and translated green building strategies into practical solutions to meet federal goals for new construction, repair and alteration, facility management, and leasing. He continues his leadership role with GreenHornStrategies, accelerating the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through low carbon materials and implementation of sustainable design principles. He serves in a leadership position in the development of ASHRAE Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings (International Green Construction Code) and has held advisory roles with the U.S. Green Building Council, the Green Building Initiative, and the International Living Future Institute.
Alexandra Bull, Sustainability Project Manager, JLL Read Bio
Alexandra Bull is a Sustainability Project Manager with JLL's Project and Development Services group. She serves as the dot-connector for her clients while working her client's overall ESG goals into real estate-specific initiatives. Alexandra provides her clients with in-depth knowledge on incorporating carbon reduction and health and wellness goals into specific real estate initiatives. Alexandra is an experienced professional in embodied carbon consulting, specializing in the implementation of strategies to reduce embodied carbon in diverse projects. With a deep passion for enhancing occupant well-being, she understands the vital role that the built environment plays in supporting human health. Alexandra received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Environmental Economics and Management from the University of Georgia. Alexandra is certified in Sustainability and International Agriculture from the University of Georgia, and a Certified LEED AP BD+C , Construction LCA Specialist, and WELL AP Professional.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, attendees will be able to:
- Recognize the difference between operational carbon and embodied carbon;
- Identify the definition of embodied carbon and where it is found;
- Recognize tools available to calculate LCA and find Low Embodied Carbon (LEC) Environment Product Declarations (EPD);
- Recognize what EPDs are. 5. Identify Industry standards, such as ASHRAE 189.1.
