Building Decarbonization
Terms and Definitions
Not sure what some of the terms used in decarb conversations actually mean ? Well even some of our engineers have their doubts !
We ’ ve compiled and defined some of the most commonly used decarbonization terminology , so you know exactly what they mean the next time you hear some hot-shot consultant discussing carbon reduction strategies .
Building decarbonization : The process of removing or reducing human-made carbon emissions related to buildings
Carbon : A standard measure of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions ( CO2e ) for greenhouse gases
Carbon dioxide equivalent ( CO2e ): A measure used to compare the impact of various greenhouse gases based on their 100-year time horizon global warming potential ( GWP ). CO2e approximates the time-integrated warming effect of a unit mass of a given greenhouse gas relative to that of carbon dioxide ( CO2 )
Global warming potential ( GWP ): An index for estimating the relative global warming contribution of atmospheric emissions of a particular greenhouse gas compared to emissions of an equal mass of carbon dioxide ( CO2 )
Indirect emissions : GHG emissions due to the activities of the reporting entity but occur at sources owned or controlled by another entity ( primarily from electricity generated off-site to power buildings )
Building electrification : Refers to replacing direct fossil fuel use ( e . g ., natural gas , propane , heating oil ) with electricity use in a way that reduces overall emissions while lowering other air pollutants
Life cycle assessment ( LCA ): A methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a building
Environmental product declaration ( EPD ): An independently verified and registered document that communicates transparent and comparable information about the life-cycle environmental impact of products to enable comparisons between products fulfilling the same function
Building Performance Standards ( BPS ): A policy that requires building owners to meet performance targets by actively improving their buildings over time . These can include energy or emissions targets buildings must meet to improve energy efficiency and reduce climate impacts
Operational carbon : The CO2e emissions during the normal use of a building during its life
Embodied carbon : All the CO2e emitted in producing materials . It is estimated from the energy used to extract and transport raw materials as well as emissions from manufacturing processes . Embodied carbon of a building includes all the emissions from the construction materials , the building process , all the fixtures and fittings inside as well as from deconstructing and disposing of it at the end of its lifetime
Direct emissions : GHG emissions from sources that are owned or controlled by the reporting entity ( primarily from on-site combustion fossil fuels
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