Sustainability E-News
Better Guidance
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From The Editor
One of things that happens sometimes with trends is that they are often embraced without full knowledge of their impacts and possible unintended consequences. That has certainly been true in the area of 'carbon'. Are we talking about embodied carbon in building products or carbon emissions during building operation? Does zero carbon mean no emissions are occurring or that they are offset by buying 'carbon credits'? Does planting trees count as a carbon credit or are we talking about buying renewable energy? And who is tracking how those credits are assigned? These are just a few of questions to be considered around one aspect of one trending topic. This is why I was encouraged to read several articles that begin to tackle some of the standardization that is needed by developing guidelines in this and other areas. You can read the articles yourself in the links below. And while financial accounting of carbon isn't at the top of everyone's mind, the rigor that industry will bring to the effort will likely benefit other industries as well.
Christine "Tina" Subasic, PE, LEED AP
CSubasicPE@gmail.com
NOTE: Inclusion in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the products and materials featured, nor have these products been evaluated by TMS or the editor. Furthermore, the views expressed in the articles featured are those of the article authors.
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GREEN BUILDING NEWS
It remains to be seen exactly how things will play out, but recent legislation contains several provisions that may assist manufacturers in developing EPDs as well as potentially funding an update of a national database of life cycle assessment (LCA) background data. Something we will continue to keep an eye on to bring you the latest news. ~Tina
US law aims to gauge carbon in construction materials
BLOOMBERG LAW
Makers of construction materials will get some help from the Environmental Protection Agency in gauging the carbon content of their products with funds totaling $250 million earmarked in the recent tax-and-climate law. However, the effect and credibility of the program, particularly in lowering the heavy carbon content in concrete, will crucially depend on the EPA's ability to audit companies' claims, says Cary Coglianese, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, in this article.
USGBC members and the World Green Building trends report
USGBC
The findings of the 2021 World Green Building Trends report, to which USGBC was a contributing partner, were released in late 2021. USGBC looked at the data from the angle of their membership, which contributed approximately 20% of the total responses for the report, spread across 41 countries. They found that two professional firm types, architects/designers and specialist/consultants, influenced the largest number of green building projects. Read more about the trends here.
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CODES and STANDARDS NEWS
We previously reported on HUD's new Building Resilience Toolkit. Now FEMA has released guidelines for adopting the latest building codes to achieve resilience. ~Tina
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FEMA releases guidelines for resilience through building codes
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a new publication, the Building Codes Adoption Playbook for Authorities Having Jurisdiction. The Playbook is intended for state and local officials interested in increasing community resilience and reducing loss from natural hazards as they look to adopt the latest editions of model building codes. Part of the White House’s resilience initiative, the Playbook equips officials with background and language to help educate decision-makers and constituents on the benefits of adopting and enforcing the latest building code editions. In addition, the publication provides general steps to help navigate the code adoption process and information about FEMA grants available to support building code adoption and enforcement activities. On a related note, FEMA has ramped up funding for resilience projects.
National Research Council of Canada releases new guidelines for whole building LCA
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL (Canada)
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has published a long-awaited, first ever, National Guidelines for Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (wbLCA). The document provides comprehensive instruction for the practice of life cycle assessment applied to buildings. The upcoming web version of the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute's Impact Estimator software will align with the new guidelines, going a long way to improve the standardization of wbLCA practice. This is part of a multi-year, multi-stakeholder effort aiming to bring LCA into government procurement decisions about built assets by creating a national life cycle inventory database and associated other resources. Get the guidelines here.
How do we get to zero carbon buildings?
USGBC
Buildings and construction are responsible for about 30% of energy-related CO2 emissions globally. Read more about steps USGBC proposes to reach net zero carbon in the built environment.
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GREEN BUSINESS NEWS
The recent efforts to standardize the financial accounting for carbon offsets and other green measures is good news. Currently, companies can each choose their own metrics. Success in harmonizing the financial accounting will also benefit other aspects of carbon reporting and sustainability including those related to green building. ~Tina
Financial accounting board working on guidance for carbon offsets, green credits
BLOOMBERG LAW
Many companies are in the market for carbon offsets and renewable energy credits to help bring their net-zero targets within reach. The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) is working on new guidance to help clarify the accounting side of the equation. The guidance could help shape the way companies account for these assets financially. The more companies seek out such credits, "the more you want to make sure everyone is on a similar accounting platform so you can compare and contrast between the different companies," said Marc Siegel of Ernst & Young. Read the full story.
Product circularity begins with design, manufacturing
DESIGN NEWS
Nothing-goes-to-waste circularity is "the North Star of sustainability" and can be a competitive business model, Zoe Bezpalko, engineer and sustainability strategy manager at Autodesk, says. As investors and consumers expect more attention be paid to sustainability, companies also are seeking alternative components that are sustainable while also maintaining a product's quality, Bezpalko says in this article.
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EDUCATIONAL NEWS
Register now for TMS Annual Meeting
THE MASONRY SOCIETY
Join us October 12-15, 2022, at the Sonesta Denver Downtown Hotel in Denver, CO for The Masonry Society’s Annual Meeting. The meeting will feature a dozen excellent Educational Sessions and other opportunities to learn about masonry, as well as an Awards Luncheon, committee meetings (including the inaugural meeting of the 2028 TMS 402/602 committees), and several social events. It’s a great opportunity to network with, and learn from, other masonry professionals. For more information and to register visit the meeting website.
2022 Fall Night School - The New TMS 402/602-22: Review of the New Standards and Changes Made
THE MASONRY SOCIETY
During this five-part Night School webinar series, Committee leaders will review the new standards, TMS 402/602-22 Building Code Requirements and Specification for Masonry Structures, and significant changes made since the 2016 edition. The series begins on October 19 and will run through November 16. Sign up for all 5 sessions and receive a 10% discount on the new Standards.
Achieving Resilience: How Masonry Supports Resilient Designs
THE MASONRY SOCIETY
This on-demand course provides an overview of resilient design and discusses how resilient design is and is not covered by building codes and standards. The role of masonry construction in meeting resilient design goals is explained, and the inherent properties of masonry that make it resilient are described. Examples of resilient design strategies are provided.
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