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Webinar

Decarbonizing the Built Environment: The Role of Embodied Carbon, LCAs, and EPDs

As the trend to achieve net zero carbon intensifies, the building sector, responsible for approximately 39% of global CO2 emissions, is experiencing a notable shift. Significant strides have been made in helping to reduce operational carbon through energy-efficient and electrified HVAC systems, as well as renewable energy. Now, the focus is shifting towards helping to decrease embodied carbon, which includes the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the entire lifecycle of building materials. This presentation will explore the key aspects of embodied carbon in the context of whole life carbon footprint.

Presenters will discuss the methodologies for measuring embodied carbon, focusing on Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and their role in providing credible and transparent data. Through examples of comprehensive whole-building carbon analysis, the presentation will highlight how life cycle assessments are being used to make informed decisions that help reduce the whole life carbon footprint of buildings. Attendees will gain insights into measuring, comparing, and helping to reduce embodied carbon in their projects, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

Key Learning Objectives:

  • Compare and understand operational carbon and embodied carbon.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of why embodied carbon is becoming increasingly substantial in the building sector, especially as operational emissions decrease.
  • Learn how LCAs and EPDs are used to measure and report the environmental impact of building materials and systems.
  • Discover strategies for reducing embodied carbon through sustainable design, material selection, and manufacturing considerations.
  • Analyze practical application of LCAs and EPDs in reducing the whole life carbon footprint of buildings.

Webinar Details

Date: November 7, 2024

Duration: 1 hour

Meet the Speakers

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Shannon Sajdak, Product Sustainability Leader, Trane Technologies

With a background in life cycle assessment and product sustainability, Shannon Sajdak works to optimize the sustainability and circularity of Trane Technologies' products across their entire life cycle. This includes leading the organization's LCA and EPD program, where she ensures that the strategy and execution of product carbon footprint disclosures meet the needs of customers and other stakeholders. Shannon also manages Trane Technologies' Design for Sustainability and Circularity framework in support of an ambitious set of 2030 corporate sustainability goals.

Shannon lives in Seattle, WA and has both a Master of Environmental Management in Business & Environment and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Duke University.




John Sustar, Systems Commercialization Leader, Trane Technologies

John has 15 years of experience in the HVAC industry and has a background in energy modeling, electrical and mechanical systems, and chilled water design. As a HVAC systems commercialization leader, he is responsible for developing and executing the commercial systems strategy at Trane—working cross-functionally with applications and systems engineering, sales, and marketing.

John lives in La Crosse, WI and holds a Master of Building Systems Engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of St. Thomas (MN).

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