mindful MATERIALS: Climate Health

mindful MATERIALS, Inc

Embodied carbon is an increasingly urgent consideration: massive emissions from manufacturing concrete, steel, foam, gypsum board, and other building products are happening right now. Some products save energy and carbon during building operation. Our resources help you minimize the use of the worst offenders and support climate health by preferring products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sequester more carbon than emitted.

mindful MATERIALS: Climate Health

Deep Dives

Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.

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  • Using Low-Carbon Concrete in Your Next Project

    Feature Article

    Advancements in low-carbon concrete materials and strategies have led to greater adoption in much of the U.S. Now it's time to start using them. 

  • ESG: 6 Things Building Professionals Need to Know

    Feature Article

    Clients need AEC professionals to help them achieve environmental, social, and governance goals. Here’s how people are turning aspirations into strategies.

  • Constructing Change: The Contractor’s Commitment

    Feature Article

    The Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices calls on construction firms to practice green building. Here’s why the whole industry needs to get behind it.

  • Is Using Smart Glass Smart?

    Feature Article

    Electrochromic glazing holds the promise of less glare and better energy efficiency with fewer attachments. The reality is much more complicated.

Quick Takes

Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.

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  • Glazing Performance Metrics

    Primer

    A few key metrics are important for understanding the thermal performance of glazing units used in curtainwalls and windows.

  • Hemp: A Durable, Low-Carbon Building Material

    Primer

    This rapidly renewable material is excellent for textiles and non-structural concrete. (And no, it will not get you high.)

  • The 12 Product Rules

    Infographic

    These 12 product rules provide a simple approach to selecting better, healthier, and more environmentally responsible building products and materials.

Product Guidance

Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.

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  • New Cement Might Make for Carbon-Negative Concrete

    Product Review

    Portland cement has a massive carbon footprint, but it has seemed indispensable to concrete—until now. C-Crete aims to replace portland cement with other cementitious materials and its proprietary low-carbon chemistry.

  • Thermal Energy Storage Increases Heat-Pump Effectiveness

    Product Review

    Combining water-source heat pumps and ice-based thermal storage creates a “battery” that can provide all-electric heating and cooling, even in cold climates. And it qualifies for IRA funding.

  • Is Carbon-Negative Concrete Possible?

    Product Review

    Solid Carbon’s biochar admixture can create a carbon-negative concrete, with the help of other concrete additives and credit for avoided emissions. 

  • BuildingGreen Announces Top 10 Products for 2023

    Product Review

    BuildingGreen’s Top 10 industry-transforming products this year include heat pumps that use low-GWP refrigerants, products that encourage recycling and re-use, wood insulation, and more.

In The News

We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.

Perspective

Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.

Learning Resources

Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.

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  • Let’s Get Real about Wood’s Carbon Footprint

    Webcast

    You’ve probably heard that wood products are carbon neutral. You might also have heard that timber harvesting causes immense carbon emissions. Which is it? Could it be both?

  • Constructing Change: The Contractor’s Commitment

    Feature Article

    The Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices calls on construction firms to practice green building. Here’s why the whole industry needs to get behind it.

  • Is Using Smart Glass Smart?

    Feature Article

    Electrochromic glazing holds the promise of less glare and better energy efficiency with fewer attachments. The reality is much more complicated.

  • Selecting Optimized Products for LEED Projects

    Webcast

    This pragmatic webinar walks you through the v4.1 version of the three Materials & Resources credits that encourage product-related disclosure and optimization.

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