• home
  • chevron_right
  • Series
  • chevron_right
  • Embodied Carbon Series

Embodied Carbon Series

AIAU23-ECSeries
12 Courses 5.00
Course expires on: 11/15/2026
$330.00
Architect$330.00

Member Price

$490.00

Non-member Price

Sign in to purchase chevron_right

Description

If you’re not considering embodied carbon as part of each project’s CO2 emissions, this series is for you. Embodied Carbon 101 is designed to help AEC professionals understand embodied carbon and immediately apply that knowledge to projects to reduce emissions and get to zero carbon. Unlike operational carbon, which can be reduced during a building’s lifetime, embodied carbon is “locked in” as soon as a building is completed. Over 12 courses, you’ll learn how to measure, manage, and implement practical solutions from expert practitioners including architects and sustainable building product manufacturers. Buildings contribute about 40% of the world’s carbon emissions, and embodied carbon is a big slice of the pie. Let’s all do our part to get to zero together.

This series was presented by the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) with support from CLF Boston, the Boston Hub of the Carbon Leadership Forum. The Embodied Carbon 101 advisory group was Suni Dillard AIA, HMFH Architects; Lori Ferriss AIA, Goody Clancy; Julie Janiski, Buro Happold; Lisa Carey Moore, Integrated Eco Strategy; Jacob Deva Racusin, New Frameworks Natural Design/Build; and Rachel White, Byggmeister Design/Build. Embodied Carbon 101 was sponsored by Ark Woods & Services; Goody Clancy; Huber Engineered Woods; Kingspan; Nordic Structures; Select Building Products; and Thoughtforms. Series partners were AGC MA; Built Environment Plus; the International Living Future Institute; and the Structural Engineering Institute.

Series expires on 11/14/2026.

Learning Objectives

check

Review embodied carbon basics with an emphasis on how to immediately apply that knowledge to projects to reduce emissions and get to zero carbon.

check

Learn how to measure, manage, and implement practical solutions from expert practitioners including architects and sustainable building product manufacturers

check

Understand common carbon certifications and commitments to guide your firm's carbon strategy.

check

Learn how to communicate about embodied carbon to clients and collaborators, creating engaged partners in all your projects.

Instructors
Suni Dillard
AIA

As a Sustainability Leader at HMFH, Suni has quickly established herself as an in-house resource and champion for the integration of social, environmental, and economically sustainable solutions to design challenges of all sizes. She advocates for equitable access to architecture and has enjoyed working on educational projects throughout her career.

Jeremy Gregory

Jeremy Gregory is a research scientist in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at MIT and the Executive Director of the Concrete Sustainability Hub.

Michael Gryniuk
PE

Michael is an associate at LeMessurier, a structural engineering firm based in Boston, and serves as chair of the SEI (ASCE-Structural Engineering Institute) SE 2050 Committee, which is developing a national SE 2050 Commitment Program to promote net zero carbon structural systems by 2050 and provide quantitative tracking demonstrating progress to that goal.

Christopher O'Hara
PE

Chris O'Hara PE, SECB is a Founding Principal of Studio NYL, a Colorado-based structural engineering and facade design studio with offices in Boston and Minneapolis. Chris and Studio NYL are members of the Carbon Leadership Forum and signatories to the Structural Engineering Institute’s 2050 Challenge and the AIA's 2030 Challenge.

Courses

card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Basic literacy

This course features an expert panel of AEC practitioners and researchers who define the embodied carbon issue and key terms and concepts—including health and sustainability implications. They provide information on data resources and rating systems available to support and execute embodied carbon decisions during design, specification, and construction. The panel also discusses how information on the embodied carbon and environmental impacts of building materials and products can be incorporated into design decisions and influence project outcomes. They use case studies to illustrate different life cycle assessment (LCA) types, structural systems, and implementation of embodied carbon design decisions through construction.

This course expires on 11/14/2026.

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)

Learn what environmental product declarations (EPDs) are—plus how to write them, how to read them, and how to they can be integrated into your work to reduce the embodied carbon impacts of a project. Get familiar with the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) tool, including its applications and the limitations posed by available EPDs. Learn what it takes to create an EPD—whether you’re a manufacturer or an advocate—and learn what to focus on when you’re deciphering EPDs that others have written. Get introduced to the concept of biogenic carbon and how biogenic carbon in EPDs can help you to select carbon-smart materials.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Envelope

Envelopes are among the systems that have the largest embodied carbon impact on a building. Traditionally envelope systems and materials are chosen for aesthetics, cost, and operational energy, but embodied carbon is equally important. Learn how to apply embodied carbon strategies when designing your next façade system, including strategies for renovating existing buildings, insulation, and selecting cladding materials.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Structure

Structure accounts for a significant portion of a project’s embodied carbon. In this course, a panel of structural engineers and researchers discusses the positives and negatives, with regard to embodied carbon, of using concrete, steel, and timber each as primary structural materials. Panelists share ways to reduce and measure the embodied carbon impacts of each structure material–-through material makeup and specification, material reduction, material sourcing, and reuse.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: MEP

Though mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems feature heavily in conversations about operational energy, they are an often-overlooked element in the embodied carbon conversation. Learn how MEP contributes to a project’s overall embodied carbon, including the impacts of systems of different scales and complexity, as well as the effects of MEP replacement cycles.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Interiors

This course focuses on the impact of interior product selection on embodied carbon work with an overview of some specific product types that are typical to the interior scope. It includes an introduction to resources for interior product information—including embodied carbon impacts as well as materials health. The course also looks at strategies for lower-carbon interiors, including salvage and reuse, research, and goal-setting.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Procurement

This course focuses on the role that contractors and builders can play in reducing the embodied carbon in their work. Speakers discuss opportunities for carbon reduction at multiple project stages, highlighting the importance of a collaborative design and project team (including client) for diverse construction practice types—including small design/build, mid-size local firm, and large international firm. They suggest strategies for incorporating embodied carbon reduction into everyday workflow—from the discrete (e.g. contracts) to the broad (workplace culture and commitments). Procurement is essential to the reduction of embodied carbon—ensuring what is specified for reduced carbon makes it into the project, among other things.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Carbon accounting

This course introduces the process of carbon accounting. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the tool used to quantify the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of a material or assembly. Presenters define the basic terminology related to LCA as well as summarize the process of life cycle assessment. Overall, the course illustrates how the principles of carbon accounting can be applied to design and construction at all scales, using the breadth of data and tools available.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Certifications + Commitments—Overview

Our built environment is not as sustainable, healthy, safe, equitable or inclusive as it needs to be. As design professionals we have the ability to address the global climate crisis and influence health and well-being. Health is a growing concern for homebuyers, designers, and builders alike. Building professionals are not health professionals, but we have more influence on people’s health than we may realize. We also have tools to help influence building systems and components which impact not only health, but embodied carbon and operation carbon outputs. The course includes comparisons of Indoor airPLUS, Enterprise Green Communities, LEED for Homes, Passive House, Living Building Challenge, WELL Building Standard, Fitwel, and the Active Design Guidelines. The course explores the benefits and drawbacks to using certification programs, looks at the influence they’ve had on code, and discusses their impact on our built environment—including the ways that embodied carbon considerations do or don’t factor into each program.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Certifications + Commitments—A deeper dive

Take a closer look at how embodied carbon is incorporated—or will be incorporated—into sustainability programs for the industry and how carbon-thoughtful design is streamlined or incentivized through these programs. The course begins with a look at the established AIA 2030 Commitment, its success in addressing operational energy, and its next iteration, which will include embodied carbon. The AIA 2030 Commitment discussion is followed by an introduction to the SE 2050 Commitment, which is an embodied carbon-focused commitment born out of the Structural Engineering Institute, to be launched in November 2020.

After looking at example commitments, the course introduces the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon Certification, a relatively new certification that looks holistically at operational energy and embodied carbon. And, following Zero Carbon, the Passive House certification is introduced, suggesting ways that practitioners can account for embodied carbon while pursuing this performance-focused certification. Through discussing four major industry sustainability programs, this course will help practitioners to distinguish where embodied carbon is built into certifications and commitments, and where embodied carbon considerations might need to be engineered into design and certification processes for holistic carbon reduction. AEC practitioners will receive the knowledge to evaluate and leverage certifications and commitments for the greatest impact.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Making the Case

Addressing embodied carbon in one’s practice requires strategy, communication, and collaboration. This course addresses how AEC practitioners can speak with clients and collaborators about embodied carbon to demonstrate the value of reducing embodied carbon and to provide pathways to reduce its impacts in projects and the environment. Learners will hear from sustainability professionals whose practices represent traditional architectural firms, large engineering and consulting firms, and small design/build practices who share approaches to reducing embodied carbon in cooperation with clients, including: managing client choices by selecting and presenting low embodied carbon materials and designs; marketing and external communications; making the economic case for use of low embodied carbon materials and designs; drawing parallels between embodied carbon and materials and occupant health; and developing mutual goals and values with clients and project teams from the early stages of a project.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Embodied Carbon 101: Process + Firm Culture

In order to make true progress toward carbon reduction, carbon-thoughtful design must be part of the AEC industry’s standards and culture, instead of approached on a project-by-project basis. Hear from sustainability leaders representing a range of practices, including architecture, engineering and consulting, construction, and design/build firms who share the vision and infrastructure of their own firms’ sustainability and embodied carbon practice, and elaborate on how they arrived at a place where sustainable design and construction is built into their firms’ cultures. These leaders identify barriers to adopting carbon-thoughtful design and strategies for breaking down those barriers, including leveraging existing cultural and industry structures (for example: the AIA 2030 Commitment) and strengthening the connections between the existing values of firm leadership (for example: operational energy reduction; for example: materials and occupant health) and carbon reduction.

Course expires 11/14/2026

1.50 LU|HSW

Similar courses

card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Setting Fees
This course takes a detailed look at setting fees, providing you with in-depth understanding of the impact of risk and the value of the services architects provide.  You will learn "top-down", "bottom-up" and 'staff level" methods for building fees, with additional discussion of creating and managing contingencies properly.   Course expires on 5/21/2026.

1.00 LU
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Why is Accessibility So Hard?
Accessible design is inherently challenging because it’s not a "settled science." Standards are constantly evolving—sometimes even in conflict with one another. This course will cut through the confusion. Our discussion/exploration will: Review compliance missteps and achievements in real-world scenarios Identify phases of the design process where various concerns are best addressed Help you create a clear plan for accessibility success Address questions, comments, and concerns from members like you Hear from accessibility experts and learn from the experiences of your peers in this clarifying course. Course expires 6/1/2025

1.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Disruptive Small Firm Practices: Innovative Models for Expanding Services
A disruptive innovation helps create a new market and value network. In this course, three professionals will demonstrate how firms can utilize these innovations to expand into more sustainable and resilient business models beyond traditional architecture. Learn how to: Utilize tools to re-conceptualize your firm's expanded services offerings Determine how expanded services integrate with your current business models Develop strategies for marketing expanded services to new and existing architectural clients Consider how expanded services augment opportunities for traditional architectural services offerings Course expires on 1/2/2026.

1.00 LU
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Accessible Architecture: Designing for Success (Part 2)
To get your projects right the first time, design and accessibility should go hand-in-hand. In this 3 part course, you'll learn the best practices for accessibility covering emerging trends, everyday mistakes made by contractors and architects and the best way to prepare drawings to get it right the first time. Don't let ADA compliance issues set you back and cost you money! Find out what it takes to avoid common mistakes and design for ADA compliance to the letter of the law. In Part 2, go in depth on compliance issues regarding accessible routes, ramps, parking spaces, protruding objects, doors and clear floor space, controls, and counters. Typical design issues will be highlighted regarding convenience stores, gas stations, and other retail outlets as well as specific cases involving owner decisions which negate ADA compliance. Course expires 5/22/2025

1.25 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Business of Architecture: Finance and Risk Management for Architects
This course explores concepts related to the finances in running an architecture firm and risk management. Large firms, small firms as well as sole practitioners need financial plans and risk management plans to sustain their practices, relationships and livelihood. Risk management should be embedded into the DNA of any firm or project. Learn high level ideas related to capitalization and investing and how you can apply them using the ABC’s of finance (Agreements, Budgets & Billing, and Collections) as well as key principles and considerations in managing risk at both the firm and project levels.  

1.50 LU
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
AIA Entrepreneur Summit 2015: New Models
Within the context of business models, what are the characteristics that would make someone a successful entrepreneur? What are the obstacles for architects to break out of our traditional model? Economics plays a central role in our ability to expand services or take our practice in new directions.  Our expert panel, moderated by AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, considers ways in which architects can create new sources of revenue by expanding their practices in different ways and embracing new models for doing business.  Questions explored include how architects are uniquely suited to development, key measures for exploring development opportunities, and factors influencing the decision process around undertaking a new business venture.   This cutting-edge discussion will inspire and enlighten you. This course expires on 4/20/2026.  

1.50 LU
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Implementing the 2012 IECC for Commercial Construction
The 2012 edition of the International Energy Conservation Code has been adopted by AHJs in many parts of the country. The 2012 IECC is a quantum leap forward in building performance and will have a significant impact on how architects and engineers work together to design high energy efficient, high performance buildings. In this course, speakers illustrate the changes in the code affecting architecture design and give an in depth look into the building science and physics behind the the changes and how they will result in significant energy reductions. They will emphasize that the process to achieve compliance must be a team effort among all members of the project early on and describe how to demonstrate compliance with the code and advantages and disadvantages for each pathway. This course is presented in collaboration with AIA Middle Tennessee, which produced the course and provided it for delivery on AIAU.  Course expires 5/22/2025

2.00 LU|HSW
card_membership Included in subscription
Included in subscription
Applying the ADA on Existing and Altered Buildings
Accessibility is fundamental in today's architecture practice. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) applies not only to new construction, but also when remodeling existing facilities—and the guidelines and exceptions can be confusing. In this case-study course, we'll present real-life examples of applying the ADA during renovations. Topics to be covered include: The challenges of knowing how and when to apply the ADA to ensure accessibility compliance The difference between an alteration and an alteration of an area containing a primary function What happens if an existing building is not being altered, and what exceptions apply when an alteration occurs Course expires 6/1/2025

1.00 LU|HSW