Many countries, regions, cities, and organizations around the world are striving to reduce carbon emissions in an effort to mitigate climate change and its effects. Globally, operational carbon, which occurs from lighting, heating, and cooling buildings and homes, is responsible for 28% of annual CO2 emissions. Because buildings play a large role in carbon emissions, architects, engineers, and other building professionals are in a unique position to aid reduction efforts.

This course will enable learners to assess the role of concrete in carbon reduction strategies and the ways in which concrete can support sustainability initiatives. With a focus on operational carbon, this course will also examine Passive House, the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, Race to Zero, and Architecture 2030, as well as several case studies. For information on embodied carbon, learners should refer to the course Concrete Pathways to Net Zero: Part 1, Embodied Carbon.


Learning Objectives

  • Evaluate the changing nature of U.S. energy consumption and the role various initiatives, such as Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, Race to Zero, and Architecture 2030, play in lowering consumption.
  • Assess the ways in which design decisions can impact concrete’s ability to support sustainability initiatives.
  • Analyze various strategies to net zero energy buildings.
  • Understand the role Passive House plays in achieving net zero.

Pre-Requisite: Basic knowledge of embodied carbon.