Bridging the Carbon Disconnect
The Importance of Accurate Carbon Data
In the early stages of examining carbon values in standard products, a significant lack of technical data was evident. On average, 72% of the standard products listed within our master outline specification lacked Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), highlighting a substantial information gap. This deficiency, often coupled with non-third party certified or limited data, is an industry-wide concern and the Carbon Coalition’s main focus to address.
Why Accurate Data Matters
Our previous blog post, “The Journey”, describes how EPDs were used to determine Global Warming Potential (GWP). If we rely on comparable data instead of product-specific information, we run the risk of error and inaccuracies, and any calculated reductions to a product’s Global Warming Potential (GWP) will also be flawed as a result.
This is where our role as architects, in collaboration with other industry professionals, is crucial in pushing for comprehensive data from manufacturers. As regulations and client demands for carbon reductions increase, architects and engineers alike need precise tools and data to meet these requirements effectively.
Challenges with Low Carbon Alternatives in Canada
Through our investigation with our consultant team, we discovered that many of the proposed low carbon alternatives faced various restrictions:
- Not recommended or limited application in construction
- Products often lack updated references, data sheets, or are no longer available.
- Literature is sometimes in another language or outdated.
- Distribution issues and temporary unavailability in Canada.
Location and Transportation
Over 65% of the low carbon products recommended as part of this study are manufactured outside of Canada, and are primarily developed in the US and Europe. Transportation, which relies on gas or diesel, can negate the carbon savings of these materials. Additionally, countries with high carbon electricity grids can offset the benefits of low carbon products.
By advocating for the increased production and availability of low carbon products within Canada, we could mitigate transportation emissions, and simultaneously utilize the clean grid found throughout most of the country, in order to balance carbon offsets as a result of a “dirty” grid.
Testing and Code Compliance
Another challenge to consider is that 80% of low carbon products recommended for this study are not approved for use in Ontario, nor the rest of Canada. This is a critical issue as it impacts the viability of these products during the design and construction stages of a project. By garnering industry cooperation, our mission is to bring more low carbon products into compliance with Canadian codes, enhancing competition and ultimately contributing to decarbonization.
Proactive Steps
While we continue to advocate for more transparency and data from manufacturers, another strategic step we can take toward reducing embodied carbon is to prepare our tools and technology to receive and analyze sustainability-related data. Authored by KIRKOR’s Director of Digital Practice, our next blog delves into how KIRKOR is leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as digital processes to support KIRKOR’s sustainability movement and the Carbon Coalition’s mission. Stay tuned!
