Sustainability E-News
Resilient Strategies
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From The Editor
The Green Globes standard has historically been the forerunner in incorporating the latest in sustainable design criteria. Years ago, they were the first to include life cycle assessment (LCA). Now the latest version includes a provision in Section 10 on Materials for including products that have a completed an Occupant Exposure Screening Report (OESR) prepared in accordance with a new ASTM standard, E3182‐20. This standard is an alternative to the popular Health Product Declarations (HPD) and is something that provides more information on installed products.
Christine "Tina" Subasic, PE, LEED AP
CSubasicPE@aol.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
Forests and fires are the topics of the first two articles. Both highlight more sustainable, resilient approaches. ~Tina
The best carbon capture technology? Leaving forests alone
GREENBIZ.COM
Protecting forests is an essential strategy in the fight against climate change that has not received the attention it deserves. Trees capture and store massive amounts of carbon. One false claim is that it’s OK from a climate perspective to cut trees and turn them into furniture, plywood and other items because wood products can store substantial amounts of carbon. These assertions fail to count cradle-to-grave emissions from logging and manufacturing, which can be substantial. It takes decades to centuries for newly planted forests to accumulate the carbon storage levels of mature and old forests, and many planted forests are repeatedly harvested, and the logging and manufacturing emissions are repeated, too. Read more.
New policy recommendations to end destruction from wildfires
NCMA
Over the past decade, the U.S. has witnessed a steady increase in wildfire activity. Experts predict this trend will continue. Despite the $2 to $3 billion per year to support wildland fire suppression efforts, the number of homes lost in wildfires per year has increased by 163 percent and wildfires now cost the U.S. an estimated $63 to $285 billion per year in losses. The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) has launched a new campaign called Outthink Wildfires aimed at addressing these issues. The campaign includes five policies that can be adopted, including requiring homes in a wildland-urban interface area to be constructed ignition resistant - which can be achieved in part through the use of concrete masonry. Additional policy recommendations include adopting current codes and standards and focusing more on community readiness to protect from wildfires.
Living Future Conference
LIVINGFUTURECONFERENCE.ORG
The International Living Future Institute is once again bringing its flagship conference to screens around the world with Living Future 2021: Inclusion + Unity! Join ILFI for this four-day event filled with inspiring keynotes and plenaries, networking, interactive sessions and the Living Product Expo. April 20-23, 2021 | Online.
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CODES and STANDARDS NEWS
As noted in previous editions, the IECC is pursuing updates under a new process for the next cycle. You can learn more about joining the Development Committees in the article linked below. The Masonry Alliance for Codes and Standards (MACS) has applied for a position on the Committees. ~Tina
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Public review begins for next Green Globes standard
THEGBI.ORG
GBI is pleased to announce the third comment period on BSR/GBI 01-202x, a continuous maintenance revision of GBI’s American National Standard, ANSI/GBI 01-2019: Green Globes Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings. Clean and redline versions of the standard are available online here. The public comment period begins Friday, March 26, 2021. All comments must be received by May 10, 2021. Please submit comments to comment@thegbi.org.
Code Council opens applications for its IECC Development Committees
BUILDING ENCLOSURE ONLINE
The International Code Council has announced its call for committees for the development of its 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Under the Code Council’s new framework, Leading the Way to Energy Efficiency: A Path Forward on Energy and Sustainability to Confront a Changing Climate, the IECC will be developed by the combined efforts of a Residential Energy Code Consensus Committee and a Commercial Energy Code Consensus Committee. Read more here.
Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act Reintroduced
ASCE
The Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act (H.R. 1984) was reintroduced recently. The bill is bipartisan legislation that would create a $3,000 tax credit for homes and a $25,000 tax credit for businesses to help their owners rebuild after natural disasters.
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GREEN PRODUCT NEWS
Environment product declarations released for 4 cements
CONCRETE PRODUCTS
The Portland Cement Association, with oversight from ASTM International, has produced environmental product declarations for portland cement, portland-limestone cement, blended cement and masonry cement. "The development and reduction results of these EPDs show the industry's progress towards our climate ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2050," said PCA CEO Mike Ireland in this article.
Study charts path to net-zero concrete
NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
A new report from Northwestern University maps a way forward for reducing carbon emissions from cement and concrete production to net zero by 2050. Researchers working in concert with ClimateWorks Foundation conclude that "there is no single solution, but rather a range of small and large changes that will be necessary to achieve net-zero emission targets," says principal investigator Eric Masanet in this piece.
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EDUCATIONAL NEWS
It's not too late to check out what TMS is all about at our 2021 virtual Spring Meetings. Check out the link below for more information. ~Tina
The Masonry Society Spring Meetings
TMS
Registration is now open for the TMS Spring Meetings to be held virtually this week and next. It's not too late to participate! For more information visit the TMS website. In addition to regular committee meetings, the Spring Meeting will also include a Town Hall presentation on April 19 at 12pm ET.
Registration Open for 14th Canadian Masonry Symposium
TMS
The 14th Canadian Masonry Symposium will be held virtually May 16-19, 2021. Thanks to generous support from sponsors, registration for the conference is FREE. For more information, visit the conference website.
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