Decarbonizing Buildings: A Whole Life Cycle Approach

The design, construction, and operation of buildings account for roughly 40% of global energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Historically, significant attention has been focused on reducing the energy use associated with building operations, but as buildings approach increasing levels of efficiency and the energy grid decarbonizes, design and material choices become increasingly impactful. The embodied carbon associated with the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, in-use, and end-of-life phases of buildings accounts for around 11% of global carbon emissions (more than a quarter of total buildings related emissions around the world). Reducing these emissions to meet community and industry climate goals, on a path to zero emissions, will require a comprehensive approach that addresses all stages of the building lifecycle. Designers, policymakers, corporations and investors are increasingly focused on opportunities to achieve higher performing buildings with less impact across their life-cycle.

This panel event will explore current and developing initiatives to reduce building related GHG emissions at multiple scales (from products and materials to whole buildings) and the essential role of a holistic approach based on standards and tools that address the entire building life-cycle. A special focus will be on the complex alignment of multiple actors across the building and construction industry to achieve decarbonization and resilient outcomes of our existing and future building stock.

Organized by
AIANY Committee on the Environment; International Code Council

Event Date: September 26, 2024