Concrete: A Pragmatic Approach to Lowering Embodied Carbon
Making the Case for Building Reuse
August 16, 2023
Case Study: Passive House and Embodied Carbon
September 28, 2023
GUIDE & VIDEO FROM PAST EVENT: Concrete is typically the largest contributor to a building’s Embodied Carbon.
Until recently, the building industry has focused on Operational Carbon reduction. However, to effectively reduce carbon emissions associated with buildings it is necessary to reduce both Embodied Carbon and Operational Carbon.
A Pragmatic Approach to Lowering Embodied Carbon Guideline has been developed through the experience gained in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada by co-authors ZGF Architects, Fast+Epp, EllisDon, and Lafarge. Designed as an interactive document, this guide offers pragmatic options at key project decision points to support stakeholders and consultants in the development of efficient and cost-effective low-embodied carbon concrete solutions.
Speakers:
Matt Dalkie, Senior Sustainability Manager, LaFarge
Matt has worked in the cement industry for his entire career and is currently the Senior Sustainability Manager for Lafarge in Western Canada. Before this position, he held engineering positions in manufacturing plants and technical centers in NZ, UK, France and Canada. He has a detailed knowledge and understanding of cement manufacturing and the production of concrete and concrete products. Matt holds a degree in Chemical Technology, is a LEED Accredited Professional in Building Design and Construction and holds a variety of NRMCA certifications. He is active on CSA Concrete (CSA A23.1/2) and Cement (CSA A3000) standards development committees, chairing the A3000 committee and the sustainability subcommittees for both standards. He also sits on ACI committees for Concrete Sustainability, Alternative Cements, Concrete Durability, and Soil Cementing. Matt is a registered Professional Engineer in BC and Alberta.
Yury Kulikov, Associate Principal, Fast + Epp
Yury has an extensive design experience in recreational, cultural, and residential buildings. His ability to conceptualize the design in the early development stages along with a remarkable attention to detail results in structurally efficient and architecturally expressive buildings. Yury strongly believes that structural design plays a key role in the reduction of the construction industry’s carbon emissions. He leads our sustainability initiatives, and he is currently implementing the Fast + Epp Embodied Carbon Action Plan set to reduce the carbon footprint of our projects. As Fast + Epp continues to focus on sustainable design, Yury also guides the development of our new Life Cycle Assessment services, which will help our clients to make informed sustainable design choices.
Iain MacFadyen, Principal, ZGF
Passionate about the wellness of people, our planet, and our resources, Iain realized early in life that he wanted to make a difference. After studying Ecology Resource Management as an undergraduate and completing a master’s degree in Environmental Architecture, he focused his energy on the AEC industry. Iain’s system-based thinking supports his drive to find the best building performance solution for each situation. As a project leader dedicated to partnership and knowledge sharing, Iain’s ideas are translated into built outcomes that benefit everyone, pushing clients, colleagues, and the industry forward.
Jolene McLaughlin, Vice President Climate & Sustainability, Ellis Don
Jolene has spent more than 12 years driving sustainability initiatives across various segments of the built environment. As the Sustainability Director for EllisDon Corporation, she works to build partnerships across the industry that support carbon emissions reductions throughout the value chain, from the materials used, to onsite processes and operational energy of buildings.
