CLF was excited to partner on this important resource because it addresses a significant blind spot in current practice and helps tie together embodied carbon, operational carbon, and refrigerants into a single framework for decarbonization. We see this guide filling a critical industry gap by providing detailed methods to estimate the embodied carbon of MEP systems, with technical specificity and practical advice. 

Here’s my quick overview:

• Section 1 walks users through an orienting workflow, introduction to tools, and instructions for performing takeoffs and estimating material impacts. i.e. How much copper piping is in a project and how much embodied carbon does that represent?
• Section 2 offers methods for estimating the emissions associated with the full life cycle of MEP systems. i.e. What is the impact of refrigerants leaking from my HVAC systems over 60 years?
• Sections 3 and 4 of the guide showcase MEP 2040’s case study project with an impressive level of detail in the results.  i.e. How does a project’s operational emissions compare to embodied?
• Section 5 urges our collective action towards decarbonizing the built environment and MEP systems. i.e. How do I get involved and support this movement?

As you may know, MEP systems can represent about a quarter of product stage embodied carbon, roughly half of overall embodied carbon, and about three-quarters of whole life carbon (including operational energy.)

The case study findings highlight that MEP systems represent 27% of cradle-to-gate embodied carbon, rising to 56% when including fugitive emissions, repair, and replacements.

We heard updates from our Whole Life Carbon pilot group, which has brought together 40+ individuals from MEP firms across the country to study 30+ projects. This collaborative effort continues to build our industry's knowledge base and practical approaches to measuring and reducing whole building, whole life carbon.

Part 1: May 14 & Part 2: May 21 | Join the CLF Toronto Regional Hub this month to celebrate the 2024 Ontario Embodied Carbon Award winners! Hear from representatives of the winning organizations across six categories — Organizational & Public Sector Leadership, New Construction (Large & Small Buildings), Retrofits & Reuse, Innovation in Industry, and Interiors. Discover more about the Ontario Embodied Carbon Awards and be inspired by the impactful work and leadership driving embodied carbon reductions!

May 22, 2025 | The BC Embodied Carbon Awards are back for their third year — ready to celebrate the leaders, innovators, and trailblazers driving low-carbon design across the province. Join the CLF British Columbia Regional Hub and come support your peers who are making a real impact in embodied carbon innovation, connect with a dynamic community, and most importantly — enjoy a lively evening of celebration and networking.

June 26 - June 27, 2025 | The Structural Engineering Institute, SE 2050, and the University of Colorado Boulder Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering have partnered to host a two-day event focused on moving the structural engineering profession towards zero carbon. Join us for two days of focused discussion on embodied carbon, networking with fellow structural engineers and enjoying summertime in Boulder.

À propos du Carbon Leadership Forum

Qui nous sommes

• The Carbon Leadership Forum accelerates transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the embodied carbon in building materials and construction.
• We pioneer research, create resources, foster cross-sector collaboration, and incubate member-led initiatives to bring embodied carbon emissions of buildings down to zero.
• We are architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, building owners, and policymakers who care about the future and take bold steps to eliminate embodied carbon from buildings and infrastructure.

www.carbonleadershipforum.org

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