ENERGY PERFORMANCE RESOURCES
Advanced Energy Design Guide
ASHRAE
A series of publications created to help projects achieve energy-efficiency recommendations within ASHRAE 90.1 and supporting teams targeting a goal to be net zero.
http://www.ashrae.org/technical-resources/aedgs/zero-energy-aedg-free-download
Architect’s Guide to Integrating Energy Modeling in the Design Process
American Institute of Architects (AIA)
A report familiarizing architects with working knowledge of foundational energy modeling concepts, terminology, tools, and methodology.
https://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2016-04/Energy-Modeling-Design-Process-Guide.pdf
Calls to Action: Templates for Letters
MEP 2040
Templates for outreach letters to gather data and advocate for low-GWP refrigerants in MEP systems, MEP equipment bill of material lists for embodied carbon advocacy, and MEP equipment product transparency.
https://www.mep2040.org/calls-to-action-templates
EDGE Tool
EDGE is a web-based tool developed by IFC World Bank Group that draws on various data sources to generate an energy baseline. Results can be generated for projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and South America. The tool sources energy consumption trend data from local energy efficiency codes when applicable, or otherwise uses the ASHRAE 90.1-2007 standard to generate a baseline case.
https://www.edgebuildings.com/
Nordic Swan Stove Criteria Document
Nordic Swan Ecolabel
Information on Nordic Swan Stove requirements.
http://www.nordic-ecolabel.org/product-groups/group/?productGroupCode=078
Zero Code: Offsite Procurement of Renewable Energy
Architecture 2030
A technical report analyzing the various options for off-site renewable energy procurement.
https://zero-code.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Zero-Code-TSD-OffSiteRenewables.pdf
Zero Tool Energy Use Calculator
Architecture 2030
A web-based tool created by Architecture 2030 that calculates a building-specific baseline Energy Use Intensity (EUI), target EUI, and GHG emissions based on a reduction goal. To generate these values, the tool utilizes climate, type, and occupancy-normalized energy consumption data from the 2003 U.S. Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey (CBECS) data set. Values can be generated for projects in North America, though the tool provides guidance on how to generate equivalent values for projects in other countries.
http://zerotool.org/zerotool/
EMBODIED CARBON RESOURCES
A 1.5°C Pathway for the Global Buildings Sector’s Embodied Emissions
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
A draft report on the methodologies for the building industry to decarbonize in alignment with the United Nations Paris Agreement’s goal to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
https://sciencebasedtargets.org/resources/files/SBTi_Embodied-carbon-pathway-development-description_Draft_for_Pilot_Testing.PDF
A Brief Guide to Calculating Embodied Carbon
The Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE)
A guide and example calculation for calculating the embodied carbon of life cycle stages A1-A5.
https://www.istructe.org/IStructE/media/Public/TSE-Archive/2020/A-brief-guide-to-calculating-embodied-carbon.pdf
AIA-CLF Embodied Carbon Toolkit for Architects
Carbon Leadership Forum
A downloadable resource which is divided into three parts, introducing the necessary steps and resources to take in reducing embodied carbon. “Part II: Measuring Embodied Carbon” is specifically focused on LCA methodologies, factors, and tools.
https://carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-architect-toolkit/
Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront
World Green Building Council
A comprehensive report highlighting the need for immediate action toward embodied carbon reductions and outlining critical steps that various stakeholders can take in order to begin these efforts and meet lofty targets.
https://worldgbc.org/article/bringing-embodied-carbon-upfront/
Carbon Avoided Retrofit Estimator (CARE)
Architecture 2030
Pre-construction tool used for estimating embodied carbon avoidance due to material reuse.
https://www.caretool.org/
Carbon Smart Materials Palette
Architecture 2030
An online resource that provides material options with lower embodied carbon to replace traditional building materials.
https://materialspalette.org/
Defining and Aligning: Whole Life Carbon & Embodied Carbon
Low Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI)
Resources for embodied carbon definitions, rating systems, and benchmarks to achieve the embodied carbon reductions needed to meet the United Nations Paris Agreement 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming threshold.
www.leti.uk/carbonalignment
Embodied Carbon Action Plan (ECAP)
Building Transparency
A resource developed by Building Transparency and building owners and developers engaged in the Owners Carbon Action Network (ownersCAN). The ECAP includes downloadable templates for items including an EPD request letter, RFP language, Basis of Design language, and template Project Specification language.
https://www.buildingtransparency.org/programs/ownerscan/ecap/
Embodied Carbon Benchmark Study V1
Carbon Leadership Forum
A technical report with summarized results of a study wherein data from more than 1,000 building life cycle assessments were collected and analyzed.
https://carbonleadershipforum.org/lca-benchmark-database/
Embodied Carbon in Building Materials for Real Estate
Urban Land Institute
A compact report outlining the business case for reducing embodied carbon and providing introductory steps all project teams can implement to lower the impact of their building projects.
https://knowledge.uli.org/en/reports/research-reports/2019/embodied-carbon-in-building-materials-for-real-estate
Emission Factors for Greenhouse Gas Inventories
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Guidance on how to convert fuel use during construction to GWP.
www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-07/documents/emission-factors_2014.pdf
How to Calculate Embodied Carbon
The Institution of Structural Engineers’ (IStructE)
A detailed guide of embodied carbon calculations and principles.
https://www.istructe.org/resources/guidance/how-to-calculate-embodied-carbon/
Life Cycle Assessment of Buildings (LCA): A Practice Guide
Carbon Leadership Forum
A technical report with guidance for building professionals regarding how to incorporate life cycle assessment into their typical projects.
http://www.carbonleadershipforum.org/projects/lca-practice-guide/
North American Material Baseline Report
Carbon Leadership Forum
A downloadable resource that provides a baseline from which to compare products within a material or product category in order to set achievable targets.
https://carbonleadershipforum.org/material-baselines/
Whole Building LCA: Reference Building Structure & Strategies
American Society of Civil Engineers
A book with guidance regarding the role structural engineers can play in reducing the life cycle impacts of a building.
https://ascelibrary.org/doi/book/10.1061/9780784415054
Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) for the Built Environment, 2nd Edition
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
This WLCA standard mandates a whole life approach to reducing carbon emissions within the built environment and has been revised extensively to reflect advances in professional practice and updates to legislation and regulatory requirements.
https://www.rics.org/profession-standards/rics-standards-and-guidance/sector-standards/construction-standards/whole-life-carbon-assessment
FUGITIVE REFRIGERANT EMISSIONS RESOURCES
California Air Resources Board (CARB): R3 Registration and Reporting Checklists
California Environmental Protection Agency
This document consists of a series of one-page worksheets and forms to assist with the tracking and reporting of refrigerant usage, leak inspection, and repair.
https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/sites/default/files/2020-11/r3-registration-checklist_0.pdf
Climate-Friendly Alternatives to HFCs
European Commission
This section of the European Union’s Energy, Climate Change, and Environment website includes alternatives to high-GWP hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). Numerous alternates are provided for various use cases, thermodynamic properties, and safety constraints.
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/fluorinated-greenhouse-gases-0/climate-friendly-alternatives-hfcs_en
Managing Refrigerant in Stationary Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Equipment
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Guidance on EPA regulations under Section 608 of the Clean Air Act that address the handling and recycling of refrigerants used in stationary refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pump equipment.
www.epa.gov/section608/managing-refrigerant-stationary-refrigeration-and-air-conditioning-equipment
Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) Program
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
This program looks at overall risks to human health and the environment of existing and new substitutes for ozone-depleting substances, publishes low-GWP refrigerant alternatives, and promotes the use of acceptable substances, and provides the public with information.
www.epa.gov/snap
