Embodied Carbon in Roofing

Does simply reducing product embodies carbon provide us a path to limit global warming? Real solutions to climate change exist, but they require a more complex, holistic systems approach to decision-making. While simple metrics and data points may seem to be useful quick fixes for product selection, they are misleading, and not telling the full story. This discussion will put CO2 emissions, frequently referred to simply as “carbon”, into context across various building use stages and the differing impact across building systems. We will illuminate how energy savings, embodied carbon, and other environmental and health impacts of product selection are part of a “composite system” for ultimate building performance. The goal is for learners to find information embedded in LCAs, EPDs, and Whole Building Lifecycle Analysis that support a more holistic decision-making framework.

Pre-requisite knowledge: Basic knowledge of low slope roofing.