(E07) The Embodied Carbon Landscape: A Critical Juncture for Alignment

As embodied carbon accounting booms across all disciplines, the need for harmonized data and standardized processes has never been greater. New embodied carbon tools, policies, and research are released weekly, and we find ourselves at a critical juncture as the clock ticks towards 2030 and other milestone dates for reducing atmospheric carbon. Building industry and policymakers need clear, accurate, and accessible data for making the best decisions and best policies to meaningfully reduce and account for our impact on the environment. We do not have resources or time to waste in our push toward decarbonization. The key to success is cross-disciplinary collaboration - coming together to create consistent methodology for reporting and measuring emissions. The International Living Future Institute (ILFI), Carbon Leadership Forum, and Building Transparency are coordinating a broader effort across embodied carbon commitment programs and certifications to work towards alignment on foundational requirements and a holistic approach to meaningful progress within the embodied carbon landscape. This alignment is particularly critical as policymakers adopt the patchwork of existing requirements into legislation and other government-led programs; a shared definition of embodied carbon measurement across the building industry is more urgent than ever to provide a solid foundation for embodied carbon policy action. This session will discuss the current challenges and pitfalls within the carbon accounting industry and propose a path forward with increasing consistency, accuracy, and completeness as we strive toward rapid decarbonization of the built environment. Session attendees will learn about resources and strategies to take actionable steps toward aligned decarbonization and how to deepen existing efforts in a practical and efficient way.