From Foundation to Finish: Fitting Embodied Carbon into our Decarbonization Goals

Addressing carbon emissions is not only about the energy a building uses to operate. Up to half of a building’s carbon emissions are produced before the doors even open. These “embodied carbon” emissions are created during the manufacture, transportation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials. From the concrete in the foundation of a building to the finishing materials, furnishings and appliances selected, embodied carbon is often a missing piece of the total carbon puzzle. This forum will discuss how California’s Green Building Code addresses embodied carbon, design choices that can reduce emissions over a building’s lifecycle, and how local governments can lead the way in addressing embodied carbon. This online Forum is free and open to all.