Concrete's Path to Carbon Neutrality - Improved Sustainability, Durability and Resilience for the Built Environment
This webinar is part of the RAIC 2023 Conference on Architecture, now available to stream!
Topics: Innovation in Materials, Technology and Construction
Length: 1 hour | What's Included: Video, Quiz, and Certificate of Completion
The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) and the Government of Canada have partnered to establish Canada as a global leader in low-carbon cement and to achieve net-zero carbon concrete. Working together, a reduction of 15 mega tonnes of Green House Gases (GHG’s) will be achieved by 2030 with on-going additional reductions of 4 mega tonnes annually thereafter. The CAC’s partnership with the Government of Canada is a catalyst for change supporting further development of a Low-Emissions Building Materials Supply Chain in Canada, North America, and beyond, including data, innovation, standards, procurement, and promotion. The CAC has developed a Canadian specific action plan to net-zero concrete by 2050 and the industry has made significant progress over the past 20+ years in reducing GHG emissions. Now there is a strong focus on reducing the embodied carbon of concrete. There are several immediate steps being taken by industry to address this issue including: (1) focus on using alternative, lower-carbon fuels instead of fossil fuels in cement manufacturing; (2) use of lower carbon intensity Portland Limestone Cement (PLC) or other blended cements, as well as SCMs in concrete to reduce GHGs; and (3) development of carbon capture and other technologies.
Designers also play an important role as they can influence the design through clear communication of carbon reduction goals; focus on performance rather than prescriptive mix designs to optimizing the use of PLC and SCMs; consider material efficiencies; and optimize concrete design to ensure that over-design of strength and durability requirements is minimized. Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) provide independent, third party adjudicated accounting of the GHG emissions associated with a given type of concrete. By developing and providing the design community with comprehensive environmental information, more sustainable choices can be made in the selection of building materials. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of a given building material is sensitive to many factors, including raw materials input, manufacturing, and transportation to name a few.
The Government of Canada, CSA, and our National Design Codes are all progressing towards more sustainable and resilient solutions for the built environment. Concrete’s path to carbon neutrality is clearer today and will help provide an example for other industries to follow.
Learning Objectives:
By the completion of this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify and assess the global warming potential of the concrete used in structures.
- Identify and assess the global warming potential of the concrete used in structures.
- Question the sustainability, durability, and resilience of building materials.
- Explain the circular and regenerative economy and describe how concrete is a responsible material with an end-of-life use.
Subject Matter Expert:
Mr. Glen Furtado
M.A.Sc., P.Eng.
Senior Director, Engineering, Cement Association of Canada
Glen Furtado, M.A.Sc., P.Eng. is the Senior Director of Engineering for the Cement Association of Canada. His experience in progressively responsible design, management, and leadership roles in the Transportation sector extend over 25 years in both the private and public sector in the USA and Canada. He has been responsible for the delivery of major infrastructure projects including, highways, interchanges, public transit and LRT. In his current role with the Cement Association, Glen helps members, municipalities, designers, architects, and engineers meet their environmental sustainability goals through incorporation of lower carbon building materials in the projects they deliver for stakeholders.
Pricing A-La-Carte