Building Tech Forum has been rescheduled for October 28th | registration has been reopened!

Location: Remote Web Conference

Date: Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 from 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM (EDT)

Building Tech Forum: Roadmap to 2050 wanted to better understand how our carbon footprint will change to accommodate the Commonwealth’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2050. Now, we’re narrowing in on a particular type of carbon that’s standing in the way of carbon neutrality: embodied carbon.

The Materials Carbon Action Network (materialsCAN) states that “embodied carbon will be responsible for almost half of total new construction emissions between now and 2050. Unlike operational carbon emissions, which can be reduced over time with building energy efficiency renovations and the use of renewable energy, embodied carbon emissions are locked in place as soon as a building is built. It is critical that we get a handle on embodied carbon now if we hope to phase out fossil fuel emissions by the year 2050.” Handling embodied carbon then is an important objective for innovative sustainable design – this upcoming Building Tech Forum will tackle exactly this issue.

Building Tech Forum materialsCAN: Getting to Zero With Embodied Carbon brings together members of the Materials Carbon Action Network to explore the future of embodied carbon. Through five-minute lightning talks, experts will discuss the future of materials that prioritize embodied carbon, important materials to consider, and other critical design challenges. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn and to connect with the people behind the amazing innovations happening within our community!

Curious about what past forums looked like? See some photos, stats, and presentations.

Lisa Conway | VP of Sustainability, Americas for Interface, presenting
Love Carbon

Interface has been reducing the carbon footprint of its products for 25 years as part of Mission Zero – our promise to eliminate any negative impact our company has on the environment by the year 2020. This fall, Interface is introducing carbon negative carpet tile backings and products. This means that they have taken more greenhouse gas emissions out of the atmosphere than were released during their raw material extraction and manufacture.

Additional presenters include:

 Kirsten Ritchie of Gensler, Becca Sturgeon of Payette, and Brad Jacobson of EHDD

Building Tech Forum is a multi-part lightning talk series that tackles the big issues people in the building industry want answers to: how will we design and build our cities to meet the Massachusetts’ carbon neutral roadmap? What are the major innovations utilizing embodied carbon? Each session also features a lineup of over a dozen experts from critical companies involved in sustainability, design, and manufacturing.

As a nonprofit, a high percentage of our annual budget is funded through event revenue. However, we understand that during these times not everyone can afford to pay, so we are experimenting with a new payment model where participants can pay what they can. We believe this event is valued around $85, but you can pay as low as $35 through the tiered tickets.

Please consider making a donation to support us during this difficult time – like all of you, this pandemic has threatened our revenue stream and while we are doing okay, we are YOUR organization and provide you with valuable programs. Now, more than ever, we need your support.

* If there is a financial hardship and you are interested in attending, please reach out to us. *

Contact Marketing and Graphics Associate, Casey Williams, by email at casey@builtenvironmentplus.org.

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Building Tech Forum materialsCAN: Getting to Zero With Embodied Carbon
October 28th, 2020, 4:00 – 6:30pm
Web Conference
https://builtenvironmentplus.org/btf-materialscan

Built Environment Plus, formally known as USGBC MA, is a nonprofit that drives sustainable and regenerative design, construction, and operation of the built environment through advocacy, educational programs, and professional development opportunities. Learn more at https://builtenvironmentplus.org.

The Materials Carbon Action Network (materialsCAN) includes members of the global building industry that are ready to act on the smart prioritization of embodied carbon in building materials. Find us on Twitter and LinkedIn, or learn what you can do now to start addressing the embodied carbon in your projects.

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At Built Environment Plus, we strive to bring sustainable educational and community opportunities to the Massachusetts building science, design, architectural, and engineering communities. The BE+ Exchange is our latest endeavor supporting our mission.

The Exchange seeks to continue the conversations that began at our Building Tech Forum series. Here, you will find recordings of past and upcoming Tech Forum presentations, as well as speaker and contact information. You’ll have the opportunity to reach out to speakers about the important work they’re doing, as well as keep the conversation going long after each Building Tech Forum session is finished. Over time, we envision the BE+ Exchange becoming a vast resource and community space for those in our community who are interested in the innovations changing the way we design, build, and maintain our buildings.

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