Is Technology a Hero or a Villain in the Quest to Reduce Whole-Life Carbon?
Embodied carbon accounting has made significant strides, yet challenges persist. Understanding the underlying assumptions behind EC calculations for each building element is crucial to accurate life cycle analyses, particularly on projects aiming for net-zero carbon and using newer technologies. Integrating ground source heat pumps for minimal operational carbon and mass timber for reduced embodied carbon, the Information & Computer Sciences building at the University of Massachusetts Amherst also strategically employs electrochromic glass to manage cooling loads and enhance energy efficiency and occupant comfort. Evaluation of these strategies' whole-life carbon footprint reveals gaps in current industry evaluation methodologies.
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Credit pending for AIA, BOC, BPI, NAHB, NARI, PHI, Phius, and RESNET certification.
Learning Objectives:
- Explore key considerations in life cycle carbon assessment, including relevant standards and tools shaping the industry's direction
- Discuss the broader impacts of building materials beyond energy efficiency, examining aspects such as embodied carbon and indoor environmental quality
- Identify critical factors shaping operational and embodied carbon in buildings, focusing on materials with significant environmental consequences
- Describe methodologies for carbon tracking and evaluate their alignment with current architectural practices, highlighting effective strategies for sustainable design
