An Introduction to Zero Carbon Certification

As climate disasters threaten the wellbeing of people and the planet, the need to reduce CO2 emissions is ever more urgent. The ILFI Zero Carbon Certification is the first worldwide, third-party certified Zero Carbon standard. This program recognizes the growing interest and focus on a broad-based tool for highlighting energy efficient buildings which are designed and operated to fully account for their carbon emissions impacts.

WHY CERTIFY ZERO CARBON?

AUTHENTICITY – Zero matters. Zero Carbon certification is the only standard to measure actual decarbonization, not just reward carbon calculations or modest reductions.

RESILIENCY – Zero Carbon buildings operate efficiently, phase out combustion, and use renewables. They are the safest properties when weather or energy markets shift.

VALUE – The world’s largest companies, investors, and cities are already decarbonizing. Zero Carbon buildings are future-proof to remain valuable in a post carbon building market.

The presentation will introduce carbon in the built environment, the benefits of Zero Carbon buildings, and the climate impacts of building energy and materials. You’ll learn the requirements for Zero Carbon Certification and discover key planning and design considerations for reducing the embodied and operational carbon impacts of your projects that will support the project’s climate action goals. Examples of real-life projects that have achieved Zero Carbon certification will give you the guidance and confidence needed to commit to a Zero Carbon future.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Define the building industry’s contributions to global carbon emissions
• Describe how Zero Carbon certified buildings demonstrate value and impact
• Name key design and planning needs for Zero Carbon buildings
• Outline the process for developing a Zero Carbon approach

PRESENTER:
• Jacob Bloom is a Living Future Ambassador and Associate at CambridgeSeven, a Cambridge-based interdisciplinary architecture and design firm. Working with owners, developers, and the community, Jacob designs projects to be culturally, ecologically, and financially responsible.

DiAnn Tufts and Jim Newman are co-facilitators of the New England Living Future Collaborative. Both are Living Future Ambassadors. This event is hosted by the Living Future Collaborative New England / BE+ Living Future Roundtable.

CONTINUING EDUCATION:
• 1 General LFA CE credit. Any questions related to Living Future Accreditation can be directed to LFA@living-future.org.

Built Environment Plus’s Living Future Collaborative New England promotes the Living Building Challenge and other ILFI programs. The Collaborative promotes the transformation of communities throughout Boston and New England that are socially just, culturally rich, and ecologically restorative. Learn more about the Collaborative and the International Living Future Institute here.