Making a List… Top Greenbuild Takeaways

Reducing embodied carbon of buildings and building materials is a top priority of builders and is key for customers with ambitious carbon goals. Solutions around reducing embodied carbon of materials not only include incorporating alternative new materials, but also using recycled, reclaimed, or salvaged materials, or simply using fewer materials up front. But how to do this equitably across communities is a question many asked during the conference, with not much consensus around solutions. – Audrey Daley, sustainability leader, Atlanta

Mindful materials presented the Common Materials Framework (CMF) and highlighted the need for an “easier button” to create a strong foundation for a regenerative materials economy. We have so much data from years of sourcing lower carbon materials. Early planning and leveraging the right materials databases are key to realizing success. – Alicia Ravetto, sr. sustainability leader, Raleigh-Durham

A powerful theme throughout the conference was shifting mindsets from “demolition” to “deconstruction.” The goal is to maximize material reuse and rethink waste. In the U.S., construction and demolition waste accounts for 30% of total solid waste, with 30% of that waste ending up in landfills. We must consider how we design projects today that make deconstruction—and material recovery—the norm tomorrow. – Tristen Magallanes, incubation leader, San Francisco

The focus on decarbonization is clear in the forthcoming release of LEED® v5, which will raise the bar in terms of certification levels by adding specific required credits to advance decarbonization goals to achieve Platinum certification. Leveraging years of experience with new tools for materials sourcing will support project teams meeting the challenges of achieving LEED Gold and Platinum. - AR

Mass timber continues to gain traction as a renewable, carbon-sequestering material. Discussions regarding what “responsibly-sourced” timber can be got into solutions outside of traditional sourcing. This expanded the conversation to include deconstruction and reclaimed wood as more sustainable solutions. It offers exciting possibilities for sustainable design while pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in construction. – TM

USGBC’s member-exclusive report, "Nature’s Blueprint: Enhancing Biodiversity Through Design," offers a comprehensive guide to incorporating biodiversity into projects. We know that environments rich in biodiversity support physical and mental health, improve air quality and foster stronger community bonds. The implementation of nature-based solutions also aligns with decarbonization goals, boost property values and deliver long-term cost savings through reduced water and energy usage. – AR

The USGBC released a new impact report highlighting its work and the LEED program to sustainably transform how buildings are designed, constructed and operated since 1993. The report was a great reminder that this transition didn't happen overnight; sustainability will always be a marathon and not a sprint, and that no advancement is too small. Over the years, we've seen how the LEED program increases the acceptance and viability of green buildings and contributes to a resilient future.

From reducing operational emissions to promoting thermal comfort during extreme weather, programs like these show that sustainability is the right, smart and economical choice – AR

Equity is a key tenet of sustainability goals and metrics, but is also too often left out of the conversation. It’s past time for contractors and project owners to ask how they can create equitable access to work and what projects can do to engage with their communities. – TM