Eva Rosenbloom
Username
Eva Rosenbloom
Proposer First Name
Eva
Proposer Email
erosenbloom@rmi.org
Proposer Last Name
Rosenbloom
Proposer Company/Organization
RMI
Proposer Phone
(215) 803-8066

Boston 2023 Areas of Focus

Proposed Session Description
Retrofitting buildings to reduce operating emissions is a key climate strategy. Viable, affordable and scalable retrofit strategies must be implemented, but we must avoid a pulse of embodied carbon emissions from the manufacturing of the necessary building materials. This presentation showcases research that evaluates the embodied carbon investment of varying retrofit assembly strategies and construction methodologies in cold climates with the expected operational carbon savings. Through case studies and an introductory how-to guide, this session will demonstrate that low embodied carbon approaches exist today, and that manufacturers and design teams can substitute low-embodied carbon and carbon storing materials in deep energy retrofits.
Diversity and Inclusiveness
The case studies within this presentation highlight deep energy retrofits of multi-family affordable housing. These renovations transform affordable housing to be super energy efficient, all electric, powered by clean renewable energy, and renovated with low-embodied carbon materials. Such work prioritizes the health of residents through better ventilation and the removal of combustion appliances; reduces long-term operating costs and ensures building durability with improved resiliency. Even though this research is applicable to multiple building uses and typologies, this work and awareness prioritizes the decarbonization of existing buildings in underserved communities. Implementing low embodied carbon of deep energy retrofits ensures that low-income people and communities benefit from a just transition off fossil fuels and do not experience adverse human health effects from climate change.
Learning Objectives
Comprehend the differences and relationship between embodied carbon and operating carbon emissions in building retrofits and gain familiarity with tools to calculate the embodied carbon associated with various deep energy retrofit exterior insulation assemblies.
Amortize the upfront embodied carbon emissions costs associated with a deep energy retrofit with the anticipated operating carbon emissions savings.
Identify key components in exterior assemblies that benefit from the strategic use of low-embodied carbon materials and carbon storing materials.
Discuss policies and market development which support investment in low embodied carbon and carbon storing materials and deep energy retrofits solutions.
Has this session been presented before?
Yes
When and Where?
Accepted: ASHRAE Winter Conference, Atlanta: 2/8/2023 Submitted and pending approval: Getting to Zero, Minneapolis, March 27-29, 2023
Additional Comments
Both submissions above do NOT include instructional component and are presentation only. This work is due to be published by RMI in early 2023.
Session Format
Other (please describe below)
Session Format Details
20 min Presentation followed by Introductory skill building session and interactive Q&A
Recommended Length
60-minute session

Strongest Content Connection - Boston 2023

Comments about your speaker roster
[CHRIS MAGWOOD ONLY AVAILABLE 3/29] Chris Magwood is well-published and a leading expert on embodied carbon and is a dynamic and engaging speaker. His bio is below. The speaking structure will be a back and forth evenly weighted - Chris will introduce a basic concept of EC, Eva will present that data from her research, Chris will explain product availability and developments in the industry on low embodied carbon. For the how-to section, Chris will explain how to use the BEAM calculator and Eva will explain how to apply it to projects. Chris works with the Embodied Carbon Team in the Carbon Free Buildings Program at RMI. He brings focus on carbon-storing material and the residential sector to the team, using his experience with LCA studies and policy development to support the team’s work. Chris has been designing and building zero-carbon buildings throughout his 25-year career. From 2005 to 2018, he was a lead instructor in a hands-on design/build program at Endeavour Centre and was responsible for many zero-carbon, zero-toxin, and zero-waste buildings. In 2019, he helped found Builders for Climate Action and codeveloped the BEAM tool for measuring material emissions in residential buildings. He authored four major studies of embodied carbon in new construction for Canadian governments and helped Canadian cities develop an embodied carbon policy. Chris published eight books on green construction, most recently coauthoring Build Beyond Zero: New Ideas for Carbon Smart Architecture (Island Press, 2022) with Bruce King.
Anything else you'd like to tell us about your session proposal?
This session is proposed as having 2 parts - part 1 presents the research: Embodied carbon analysis of possible retrofit assemblies in cold climates PLUS MA based real case study analyses of 2 deep energy retrofits of affordable/low-income housing projects that will achieve PHIUS certification by using carbon-storing methodologies or low embodied carbon methodologies PLUS inspiration and a brief overview of available and forthcoming materials offering net carbon storage that can be utilized in exterior retrofit assemblies. Part 2 of this session will consist of an introductory “How-To” guide to calculating the total embodied carbon costs associated with a deep energy retrofit, the anticipated operational carbon savings, and the associated carbon payback timeframe. After introducing a user-friendly materials emissions calculator tool, called BEAM, plus some basic excel spreadsheet work, attendees will be able to answer - What is the carbon impact of this retrofit and how quickly can this building realize its operational carbon savings? If part 2 is not deemed to be useful in the context of this conference, it could easily be omitted and time remaining could be used for more product inspiration and Q&A.
Reviewer 1
Chase, Tom
Reviewer 2
Craig, Beverly
Curator
Tilton, Clay
Proposal #
121
Session #
605
Committee Decision
Accepted
Full Description
Investing in existing buildings makes climate sense; retrofitting an existing building emits 50 percent to 75 percent less carbon than constructing the same building new. We must determine viable, affordable, and scalable retrofit strategies, but, in this decade of action, we cannot ignore the embodied carbon impact of these retrofits. Through the presentation of real building case study analyses and by practical workshop instruction, this session can offer valuable education, inspiration, and instructions on how to integrate low carbon and carbon storing materials into deep energy retrofit assemblies for designers, engineers, owners, and technical advisors. Decarbonization efforts must be bolstered by strategic policies that align operating and embodied carbon emissions savings and encourage carbon storage as a top priority of the retrofit market and building industry. Innovators, manufacturers, and designers are needed to offer new materials, products, and design and construction services that ratchet down embodied carbon emissions, so that retrofitted buildings can realize operational savings as quickly as possible. With awareness and education comes market demand and scalability. Deep energy retrofits can transform buildings. Retrofitted buildings are more climate-resilient, healthier, and more affordable to operate creating more equitable and just built environments. RMI’s REALIZE initiative accelerates building decarbonization by developing affordable, streamlined retrofit solutions to make buildings healthier for people and the planet. This session presents research and data that will scale technical design and mechanical solutions - push the proverbial envelope for market development and implement low embodied carbon material strategies.