(A05) Decarbonization and the Path to Fossil-fuel Free Buildings by 2030

Tuesday, November 1, 2022

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM

Location: Room 208

Earn 1 Credit(s)

This session heralds a fundamental shift of emphasis towards decarbonization as the key pathway to a carbon neutral built environment. Leaders of the 2030 Challenge, the AIA 2030 Commitment, and the LEED Energy and Atmosphere Technical Advisory Group explain how a focus on efficient use of fossil-fuel free energy is the key to achieving both LEED Platinum though LEED BD+C v4.1 and AIA 2030 targets on the AIA's Headquarters Renewal in Washington D.C.. The takeaway for attendees is a deeper understanding of how decarbonization paired with energy efficiency realizes zero carbon operations now with a scalable, cost achievable approach. Fifteen years ago, Architecture 2030 put forward a clear and ambitious goal for the architecture profession through the 2030 Challenge: a set of incremental fossil fuel energy reductions for new construction and major renovations to achieve carbon-neutral operations (no fossil fuel GHG-emitting energy to operate) by 2030. AIA's adoption of this challenge through the AIA 2030 Commitment signaled to the world the profession's resolve to keep temperature change below 1.5°C. Up until 2020, the AIA 2030 Commitment program emphasized EUI (Energy Use Intensity) reductions through energy efficiency and onsite renewable energy procurement.,The confluence of rapidly accelerating grid decarbonization and improvements in electric building technologies such as heat pumps has made zero carbon building operations possible today. In turn, AIA 2030 Commitment reporting has shifted emphasis from EUI to fossil fuel consumption. This session paints an optimistic picture for the future of an affordable, carbon-free built environment for all. A case study presentation of the AIA Headquarters Renovation illustrates how decarbonization offers a realistic pathway towards achieving the 2030 carbon neutral targets. Attendees will emerge with a clarified roadmap on how to achieve carbon neutrality on individual projects as well as portfolio-wide with an approach that leverages advancements being made system-wide on energy and building technologies.
Learning Objectives:
Define embodied carbon and operational carbon and compare these new metrics to traditional ones for energy efficiency.
Explore methodologies for measuring carbon in (new and) existing buildings through LEED BD+C v4.1.
Connect design opportunities with the AEC industry’s ethical responsibility to protect the public’s health safety and welfare.
Understand how these new carbon metrics, tools, and processes apply to the design delivery process and AIA 2030 Commitment reporting.

Moderator(s)

Brad Jacobson, FAIA, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA

Principal
EHDD

Presenter(s)

Erin McDade, Assoc. AIA

Senior Program Director
Architecture 2030

Tate Walker, AIA, LEED Fellow BD+C, Well AP

Principal
OPN Architects