OVERVIEW
We rarely think about our building products beyond their immediate impact on a building or its indoor air quality. But we should.
How much energy does it take to make a product? What are the raw materials? How much does the product contribute to global warming?
These questions are not addressed by most green product programs, but the resources found here look at products and materials throughout their life cycles, including through:
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life-cycle assessments
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environmental product declarations
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carbon accounting
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embodied energy
With additional knowledge, you will have a more nuanced view of why products are environmentally sustainable and how they can be improved in the future.
IN-DEPTH
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Net-Zero Embodied Carbon by 2050?
News Brief
Eliminating the embodied carbon of concrete, steel, and wood within 30 years is not out of reach.
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Interior Products Can Have Enormous Carbon Footprint
News Brief
The structure and envelope have the most up-front embodied carbon, but replacement cycles may make interiors more important than previously thought.
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Canada’s Zero Carbon Standard Requires Embodied Carbon Offsets
News Brief
Measuring embodied carbon is no longer enough: certified projects now must purchase offsets for embodied carbon and refrigerant leaks.
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Old Insulation and HVAC Systems Are Still Depleting Ozone
News Brief
Older buildings are “CFC banks” because of phased-out refrigerants and blowing agents, according to MIT scientists.
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Transportation a Key Factor in CLT Sustainability
News Brief
A life-cycle assessment of Katerra cross-laminated timber reveals opportunities for lower carbon impact. -
The Exponential Growth of Embodied Carbon Accounting
News Analysis
Use of whole-building life-cycle assessment tools like Tally is spiking. Why? -
Builders Push “Drawdown Buildings” to Cut Embodied Carbon
News Brief
Touting the benefits of biobased materials and electrification, a recent study shows how low-rise buildings can become a climate solution. -
Marin County First to Adopt Low-Carbon Concrete Code
News Brief
A California county has the first code to address both concrete performance and concrete’s carbon emissions.
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Structural Engineers Study Embodied Carbon of 600 Buildings
News Brief
More than half of a building’s embodied carbon is in its bones, prompting research—and soon, a new Revit tool.
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The Urgency of Embodied Carbon and What You Can Do about It
Feature Article
Building materials emit massive amounts of carbon long before the lights go on. Here’s how thoughtful design can reduce global warming impact.
