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Buildings and Carbon
This course will focus on the climate impacts associated with carbon emissions from the built environment. The training will emphasize the importance of goal setting and identifying strategic actions to manage greenhouse gas emissions throughout a building’s life cycle, including the operational phase, with a particular focus on embodied carbon.
The course will explore the context of climate emissions from the built environment, covering topics including:
• The global carbon cycle and its relationship to the built environment
• Operational carbon, grid emission factors and building electrification, and emission reduction strategies beyond energy efficiency
• Embodied carbon, carbon storage, and the “time value” of carbon
• Solutions for material selection, supply chain engagement, and policy engagement for addressing the climate impact of the built environment.
The course will explore applied strategies in the context of a design practice, covering topics including:
• Goal setting and metrics of success
• Methodologies and strategies for conducting carbon analysis throughout the design process
• Carbon accounting tools, databases, and other resources to conduct embodied carbon analysis
• Evaluating design workflows for opportunities to take action in carbon reduction in design and procurement.
Key barriers to and opportunities for implementing carbon reduction strategies in participants’ practices will be identified, discussed, prioritized, and formulated into an actionable list for participants to reference moving forward.
This course is taught by Jacob Deva Racusin, Studio Director and Director of Building Science and Sustainability with New Frameworks Natural Design/Build.
Learning Objectives
1. Understand the impact of embodied carbon and carbon storage in building materials.
2. Become familiar with real-world examples and case studies that stored carbon.
3. Identify tools, workflow strategies, and other resources for carbon accounting in the design process.
4. Take action on opportunities and strategies for integrating climate action and carbon reduction into their professional practice.
Funding Grants Available: Submit by May 23rd, 2024
The express grant is designed to help businesses of all sizes respond quickly to emerging needs and keep employees engaged. With bite-size grants for just-in-time training and no waiting periods between grants, the Express program is the Workforce Training Fund’s fastest path to funding.
You could take this training for FREE. Complete an Express Grant Application.
Course ID#: C-2573
Background photo by Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash
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