COTE SC Carbon-Focused Webinar Series

Part One: Carbon Clarity: Understanding, Tools, and Implementation 

Presenters: Catalyst Partners

Format: Live One-hour lecture-based webinar accompanied by slides and Q&A

CEUs: TBD, 1 CEU/LU

Course Description:

“Carbon Clarity: Understanding, Tools, and Implementation” is a comprehensive course designed to equip participants with a deep understanding of carbon emissions in the building industry, both from embodied and operational perspectives. The course provides an in-depth exploration of the impact of carbon on the environment, methods for assessing and reducing carbon footprints, and practical tools for implementing sustainable practices. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and real-world case studies, participants will gain the skills necessary to conduct carbon assessments and implement strategies to minimize carbon emissions in building projects. This course is essential for architects, engineers, project managers, and sustainability professionals aiming to advance their expertise in sustainable building practices and carbon management. 

Learning Objectives 

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: 

1. Understand the Basics of Carbon and its Environmental Impact: 

• Explain what carbon is and how it impacts the environment, distinguishing between embodied and operational carbon. 

• Discuss the role of greenhouse gases and their global effects, focusing on carbon dioxide (CO2) and other significant greenhouse gases. 

1. Identify and Utilize Tools for Carbon Assessment: 

• Learn about various tools and resources available for carbon assessment, including Tally, Athena Impact Estimator, EC3, and One Click LCA. 

• Understand the specific applications and benefits of each tool in evaluating and managing the embodied carbon of building materials. 

1. Implement Strategies for Reducing Embodied Carbon: 

• Describe the life cycle assessment (LCA) phases and their relevance to embodied carbon. 

• Develop strategies for reducing embodied carbon through the selection of low-carbon materials and alternative construction methods. 

1. Assess and Manage Operational Carbon: 

• Define operational carbon and its significance in the lifetime use of buildings. 

• Utilize tools like EnergyCAP, Integrated Environmental Solutions, and the EPA Carbon Footprint Calculator to track and reduce operational carbon emissions. 

1. Apply Knowledge to Real-World Scenarios: 

• Analyze case studies of building projects that have successfully implemented carbon reduction strategies. 

• Develop a comprehensive plan to reduce the carbon footprint of a specific building project, considering both embodied and operational carbon. 

1. Engage with Current Standards and Certifications: 

• Familiarize with third-party rating systems that track and report carbon metrics, such as LEED and LBC certifications. 

• Understand the requirements for achieving these certifications and the benefits they provide in promoting sustainable building practices. 

By integrating these objectives, the course aims to empower participants to make informed decisions that contribute to a more sustainable and carbon-conscious building industry. 

Part Two: Getting to Net-Zero Energy Before the RFP

Presenters: Catalyst Partners

Format: Live One-hour lecture-based webinar accompanied by slides and Q&A

CEUs: Yes, 1 CEU/LU

Course Description:

The profession needs to advance high-performance in challenging markets and climate regions. The speaker describes the top five considerations that should be evaluated for every zero-net energy project during the pre-RFP process. Then, the speaker explains how to set a meaningful energy target on a proposed project – which is critical to achieving zero-net energy. Finally, the speaker identifies the crucial design decisions that make (or break) the potential for zero-net energy. The truth is that every energy model is WRONG to some degree – and yet they are essential to an integrative design process for high-performance project outcomes. In the spirit of the integrative process, at key points during the session, the audience will be prompted to participate in real-time performance modeling decision-making using cloud-based building energy modeling tools. In one specific example, a seemingly “good” decision when considered in isolation will be shown to be detrimental to overall energy performance when considered in the context of the whole building using dynamic real-time tools. The audience will also be introduced to “next generation” energy modeling using genetic algorithms to achieve design optimization solutions and total carbon modeling, which incorporates emerging processes and databases for assessing and optimizing embodied carbon intensity as part of a project lifecycle carbon assessment.

Learning Objectives:

1.     Explain the top five design considerations of ZNE that need to be considered before responding to a request for proposal (RFP).
2.     Identify specific design questions that a project team needs the building energy modeling effort to answer as early as pre-design.
3.     Determine the appropriate tools to ensure that energy performance and lifecycle carbon goals will be achieved on any project.
4.     Prepare a framework to effectively integrate early-stage building energy modeling within any firm’s culture and design practice.

Part Three: Mastering AIA 2030 Commitment Reporting: From Signatory to Sustainability Champion 

Presenters: LS3P

Format: Live One-hour lecture-based webinar accompanied by slides, reporting portal and Q&A
Course Description:

This hands-on webinar empowers architectural firms to confidently navigate and fulfill their reporting requirements under the AIA 2030 Commitment. Attendees will explore the step-by-step process of signing on, managing the Design Data Exchange (DDx), and strategically presenting predicted energy data to align with the net-zero by 2030 vision. Featuring practical tools, real-world examples, and expert insights, the session aims to equip firms with the knowledge and confidence to meet annual reporting mandates and drive continual performance improvement.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

1. Understand the Purpose & Significance
   • Describe the mission of the AIA 2030 Commitment and how it upholds the architecture profession’s role in achieving carbon neutral buildings by 2030.
2. Become a Signatory
   • Identify and navigate the initial steps to sign the Commitment, including creating a firm account in AIA’s Design Data Exchange (DDx) and submitting the commitment letter. 
3. Master Annual Reporting via DDx
   • Clarify reporting windows—typically January through March with the due date of March 31—and recognize that firms may access and input data year-round.
4. Capture Required Data Parameters
   • Enumerate the essential data fields required for each project, including:
     • Project stage (conceptual, schematic, development, construction docs)
     • Project scope (architectural with HVAC/envelope changes or interiors with lighting design)
     • Geographic location (country, zip code or city)
     • Baseline Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and predicted EUI (pEUI), leveraged via AIA’s Zero Tool or other baselines
     • Whether actual energy use data is tracked
     • For interiors-only: lighting power density and applicable energy code defaults
5. Engage with Expanded Metrics
   • Incorporate new elements into the reporting, such as:
     • Fuel sources to enable Operational Carbon Intensity (OCI)
     • Embodied Carbon Intensity (ECI) via Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA)
     • Participation in the new Embodied Carbon-Only project page within DDx 
6. Interpret Reporting Outcomes
   • Analyze “By the Numbers” reporting summaries—e.g., in 2023, 490 firms reported ~24,742 projects across nearly 4 billion GSF; a 50% pEUI reduction plateau; 7,067 projects included embodied carbon data; renewables featured in 2,163 projects; and approximately 38.5 million metric tons of CO₂ avoided.Improve Firm Performance Year-over-Year
   • Learn how consistent annual reporting fosters data-driven improvements in design outcomes, supports firm benchmarking, elevates sustainability culture, and informs recruitment or client proposals. 
7. Leverage AIA Resources & Community Support
   • Navigate available support tools such as DDx help pages, how-to videos, recorded webinars, and open office hours—especially helpful as the reporting deadline approaches