Real solutions to climate change exist, but they require a more complex, holistic systems approach to decision-making. This discussion will put CO2 emissions, frequently referred to as “carbon,” into context across various stages of the building life cycle. Choices that impact the building’s passive design features like orientation, massing, and enclosure systems have the largest and longest impact related to the lifespan of the overall building. Specifically, this presentation will examine a building’s air barrier system and roof insulation to demonstrate the impacts of embodied and operational carbon and energy impacts. While simple carbon reduction metrics and data points may seem to be useful quick fixes for product selection, the design industry can better utilize data to analyze the building use phase to tell the full story.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand and explain the distinction between energy savings, energy use, carbon dioxide emissions (“carbon”) and embodied carbon in various stages of LCA.
2. Describe theoretical and real market examples of how use phase of an LCA, EPD or Whole Building LCA is used as a comparison tool for energy and health performance.
3. Recognize and explain usability and challenges for practitioners in handling material credits and product selection in LEED v4.1.
4. Discuss the interconnectivity of innovation and market drivers in product formulation development and building design.

Elizabeth Grant, Building & Roofing Science Research Lead, GAF

Elizabeth Grant is Building & Roofing Science Research Lead at GAF. She supports GAF’s efforts within the commercial roofing community through engagement with architects and specifiers, providing technical advice and research-based guidance in their design and specification processes. Previously she was an associate professor at Virginia Tech’s School of Architecture + Design.

Benjamin Meyer, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, Building Enclosure Business Director, Siplast

Benjamin is the Building Enclosure Business Director with Siplast. Previous experience includes: enclosure consultant principal, technical management for enclosure products, architecture, real-estate development and construction management. Serves as ASHRAE 90.1 Envelope Chair and Full Voting Member, Director of ABAA, and past LEED Technical Committee Member.