(B07) Full Decarbonization: Getting Net Embodied Carbon to Zero

Achieving operational net zero energy or carbon neutrality are ambitious and essential elements of a climate-conscious built environment. But immediate paths to full decarbonization, including materials and construction, are desperately needed in order to meet our climate goals in the time frame required. This session explores the direction taken by the AIA National Headquarters Renovation team to zero out all embodied carbon emissions and make this D.C. project one of the first fully decarbonized major renovations in the US. The approach is to first push energy efficiency to its cost-effective limit, electrify everything in the building, and then serve the building through renewable energy. With operational carbon eliminated, embodied carbon is halved through building renewal paired with rigorous materials options analysis and life-cycle assessment to minimize new emissions associated with structure and other building materials and systems. Then, all remaining embodied emissions will be offset through an innovative agreement with Habitat for Humanity to supply approximately 900 rooftop solar panels to at least 50 homes in Virginia, offsetting not less than 8,500,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions over the life of the agreement, matching the project’s embodied emissions. This approach recognizes that buildings are an integrated part of the larger energy systems on which they depend and interconnected with their broader communities. It will enhance the health and economics of the local community while directly paying down the AIA HQ carbon debt to achieve true carbon neutrality. A structured discussion facilitated by the project Contractor and including the Owner, Architect, and Building Systems Engineer will explore this case study in detail and suggest pathways and lessons learned for future project teams interested in achieving full decarbonization. This discussion will appeal to a wide range of AEC practitioners from clients and owners to architects, engineers, and contractors.