EMBARC events: "Materials Matter"

Come learn about the implications of two studies (including EMBARC) on embodied carbon in buildings. All events are free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Materials Matter: Embodied Carbon benchmarks for part 3 and part 9 buildings in Ontario

Session 1: Designers, consultants and specifiers (April 22 11am-1pm) (completed)

Session 2: Manufacturers (April 29 12pm-2pm) (completed) Session 3: Developers, owners and constructors (May 13, 11 am - 1 pm) (completed)

Session 4: Government representatives and regulators (June 3, 11 am - 1 ) (completed)

The evidence is clear: the manufacture and transport of building materials in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area are responsible for millions of tonnes of emissions every year. These emissions are mostly overlooked and are not currently being measured or minimized, as pointed out by new studies on both low-rise and high-rise buildings in the region. Both the part 9 (small buildings) study and the part 3 (big buildings) study were funded by the The Atmospheric Fund and the part 9 study was done in partnership with the City of Toronto.

This workshop series is intended to share the results and insights from these studies with stakeholders in the region. Each of the four sessions will address the interests and concerns of a unique stakeholder group. Participants are welcome to join one session or multiple.

Each session will introduce the topic of embodied carbon -- the emissions arising from all the activities required to produce materials and make buildings as measured through life cycle assessment (LCA) -- and then share the results of both studies. This will be followed by sector-specific discussion sessions to help participants understand the implications of the study findings and help to shape potential responses. Separate breakout rooms will focus on either low-rise or high-rise buildings. The Material Matters sessions are presented in partnership between Builders for Climate Action, Mantle Developments, Passive Buildings Canada, City of Toronto and the University of Toronto John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design.