Let’s face it, emissions from the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry are too high and one of the key issues is there are no agreed-upon processes for measuring embodied carbon. These upfront emissions contribute around 13% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions and these emissions will be responsible for half of the entire carbon footprint of new construction between now and 2050.
Join this panel discussion to hear a deep dive into how a group of companies conducted a proof of concept to address this process complexity. The goal: Identify best practices toward establishing industry-wide guidelines for embodied carbon analysis to create actionable benchmarks. This session is essential for anyone committed to reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and figuring out how to simplify processes across the industry.
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Session Agenda
Welcome and Introduction
- Speaker: Rama Dunayevich
- Overview:
- Overview of the session objectives: addressing the importance of consistent carbon measurement throughout the lifecycle of buildings and fostering industry collaboration in decarbonization efforts.
Fireside Chat: The Importance of Consistency in Measuring Carbon Across the Whole Life of Buildings
- Speakers:
- Tim Smith - Head of Thought Leadership and Analysis, RICS
- Ryan Colker - Vice President Innovation, International Code Council
- Noura Tantawi, Public and Corporate Affairs, Holcim
- Melanie Jans-Singh, Lead Technical Energy Advisor, UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ)
- Moderator: Roland Hunzinker, Director, Built Environment, WBCSD
- Overview:
- A fireside chat discussing the importance of a unified approach to measuring carbon emissions across the full lifecycle of buildings.
- Exploration of current challenges and the necessity for consistency in measurement standards to drive real progress in reducing carbon footprints in the built environment.
Lecture: COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action
- Speaker: ITU Representative
- Overview:
- A presentation on the COP29 Declaration on Green Digital Action.
- Key focus on the role of digital technologies in accelerating decarbonization and how global declarations can drive action in the built environment.
Hybrid Panel: Industry Alignment of Data to Decarbonize Buildings
- Moderator: Rama Dunayevich, Global Lead for Sustainability Partnerships, Autodesk (in person)
- Panelists:
- Margarida Gonçalvez - Global Sustainability Impact Specialist, Arcadis (Virtual)
- Blerina Celniku - Associate Partner, Sr. BIM Coordinator Sustainability, Foster + Partners (Virtual)
- Inés Idzikowski - Sustainable Design Lead, Associate, AECOM (Virtual)
- Edurne San Miguel - AECOM (Virtual)
- Monica Lucas - Section Manager Sustainable Buildings, Ramboll (Virtual)
- Mirko Farnetani - Embodied Carbon Leader, Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill (Video Recording)
- Nigel Tonks - Sustainable Development Director, Arup (In Person)
- Timing: 14:33 - 15:18 (45 minutes)
Panel Q&A
- Overview:
- Open the floor to the audience for questions and discussions.
- Audience members will have the opportunity to ask panelists about challenges, solutions, and opportunities related to data alignment and decarbonization efforts in the built environment.
Conclusion
- Speakers: Roland Hunziker (WBCSD) & Rama Dunayevich (Autodesk)
- Overview:
- Recap the session’s key takeaways.
- Emphasize the growing importance of collaboration over differentiation in the decarbonization process.
- Discuss next steps and call to action for collective industry efforts in reducing emissions and advancing sustainability goals.
