(F11) Beyond 101: Making Embodied Carbon Actionable – A Joint Research Report by RMI and USGBC

Earlier this year, USGBC and RMI embarked on a joint research partnership to advance industry knowledge on reducing embodied carbon emissions from building materials. This research partnership is focused on: Understanding the state of the data on embodied carbon impacts from building materials; Determining the size of the opportunity to quickly reduce embodied carbon from standard building practices; Surveying current and emerging benchmarking standards for buildings and materials; Navigating the embodied carbon impacts and trade-offs of wood, concrete and steel structures; Clarifying the role of reuse, recycling and circularity in reducing embodied carbon; and, Assessing the emerging and future technologies of carbon sequestering materials. The research points toward bold and deliberate embodied-carbon reductions from building materials that can happen now. These include recommendations for high-impact product categories including structural materials, enclosure systems, and finishes. USGBC and RMI will share findings and engage in a dialogue about the current and future state of embodied carbon of building materials. Also joining the session will be leaders from the LEED Materials & Resources Technical Advisory Group who will provide the TAG’s perspective on embodied carbon in LEED v5. Speakers will share how the new rating system is doubling-down on embodied carbon for new buildings and commercial interiors. The TAG will also share how the USGBC-RMI research helped inform the credits addressing embodied carbon in LEED v5. Join us for a high-energy hour on the current and future slashing of embodied carbon from construction materials.