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:
-
life-cycle assessments
-
environmental product declarations
-
carbon accounting
-
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
Filter results:
- Blog Post (2) Apply Blog Post filter
- Feature Article (12) Apply Feature Article filter
- Feature Short (4) Apply Feature Short filter
- Infographic (2) Apply Infographic filter
- News Analysis (12) Apply News Analysis filter
- News Brief (26) Apply News Brief filter
- Op-Ed (4) Apply Op-Ed filter
- Primer (3) Apply Primer filter
- Product Review (5) Apply Product Review filter
- Spotlight Report (2) Apply Spotlight Report filter
-
Decarbonization Can Work in Emerging Economies but Faces Flak
News Brief
Achieving zero-carbon buildings is possible in the world’s biggest developing markets, but a new report recommends improvements.
-
Pathfinder Tool Helps Landscape Designers Sequester More Carbon
News Brief
Even a garden or park can take decades to become carbon positive. With a little effort, it doesn’t have to be that way.
-
Raze or Retrofit? Six Extraordinary Answers to an Everyday Question
Feature Article
Saving a building is usually an environmental win, but thoughtful renovation isn’t easy. And there comes a time to tear things down.
-
Cladding: More Than Just a Pretty Façade
Feature Article
Cladding materials should be chosen to minimize environmental impacts and help maximize a building’s energy performance.
-
Can Concrete Save Us? Locking Up Carbon in Building Materials
Feature Article
Concrete is responsible for a huge proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions. A few companies want to reverse this cycle by sequestering carbon in building materials.
-
Engineering a Wood Revolution
Feature Article
Engineered wood products are challenging concrete and steel in structural applications while proffering a lower environmental footprint.
-
Whole-Building Life-Cycle Assessment: Taking the Measure of a Green Building
Feature Article
Why we will never understand the true impact of our buildings-and how we should try to anyway
-
Embodied Carbon Tools: Assessing the Options
News Analysis
Interest in embodied carbon is growing. Here’s a guide to the tools that can help you measure and reduce these emissions on projects.
-
Reducing Environmental Impacts of Cement and Concrete
Feature Article
This article explores the environmental footprint of portland cement production and future emissions regulations and looks at the issues surrounding its most common replacement, fly ash.
-
A New Initiative for “Climate-Smart” Wood
News Brief
Environmental groups including the Forest Stewardship Council have gotten together to support better forestry practices.
