GREEN BUILDING NEWS

I often write about how there is no perfect solution to achieve sustainability or resilience. This is true whether we are talking about building products or community development, as the two articles below highlight what can happen when we focus on only one aspect of concern. ~Tina

Renewables may harm biodiversity, experts warn

JAPAN TODAY

According to this article, efforts to combat climate change, such as wind turbines and hydroelectric dams, can sometimes negatively impact biodiversity and lead to unanticipated side effects, noting that it's important to weigh the potential pros and cons, not just their carbon footprint. Nature-based interventions were shown to be as effective or more so than alternative interventions for addressing climate impacts, a Global Change Biology study indicates. 

High-density or green city -- which is healthier?

HEALTH POLICY WATCH

Compact, high-density cities are more efficient and emit less carbon into the air, but often have higher resident mortality rates, while less dense cities with green infrastructure tend to have fewer deaths but higher emissions. Cities must find a balance that reduces emissions while improving health outcomes as extreme weather events become more frequent and urban populations increase, experts say. Read more.

CODES and STANDARDS NEWS

LEED v5 is making its way through the development process. Whether it will be finalized by GreenBuild next month remains to be seen. ~Tina

LEED v5 second public draft

USGBC

While the public comment period on the 2nd draft of LEED v5 has closed, this article provides a good summary of notable changes that were made from the first draft of LEED v5 to the second, along with the reasons behind some of the changes. 

ACI 323 standard and Tarantula Curve integrated into EPD tool

CONCRETE PRODUCTS

ACI 323, the industry's first low-carbon concrete standard, has entered the digital realm as an integral part of Climate Earth's EPD Advantage Pro, an EPD information management system. The upgrade allows concrete producers to quickly analyze and report on ACI Code 323 compliance. The Oklahoma State University-developed Tarantula Curve has also been integrated into EPD Advantage Pro, allowing users to optimize mix designs for strength, workability, and sustainability. Learn more here.



GREEN PRODUCT NEWS

I first reported on the ECHO project last year, noting that the recognition of the need for harmonization in life cycle assessment was significant. Their first report focuses on consistent reporting of data, while the second report makes recommendations for improvements. You can read more about both in the first link below. ~Tina

New publications from the Embodied Carbon Harmonization and Optimization (ECHO) project

ECHO PROJECT

In 2023, ECHO project members recognized the need for a consistent approach to reporting whole project life cycle assessment (LCA) results. To address this, a dedicated working group analyzed existing frameworks, LCA standards, and database structures, leading to the creation of ECHO's first publication, Version 1.0 of the Data Reporting Schema. This first version aligns LCA reporting fields across North American geographies and platforms, filling gaps where no alignment previously existed. The project's second publication, Project Life Cycle Assessment Requirements: ECHO Recommendations for Alignment, Version 1.0, summarizes ECHO’s findings and recommendations on project LCA requirements to drive alignment in the modeling and reporting of project LCAs submitted to the commitment and certification programs included in ECHO. Explore the ECHO publications.

PCA’s efforts lead to results

PORTLAND CEMENT ASSOCIATION

Three years ago, the Portland Cement Association (PCA)—representing America’s cement manufacturers—launched its Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. They’ve come a long way since then: more than 6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide have been avoided; and lower-carbon cements comprised approximately 50% of the cements consumed in the U.S. in 2023, up from less than 5% in 2021. Read more about their progress.

Criteria examined for end-of-waste construction materials

CONSTRUCTION BRIEFING

A new report commissioned by the European Commission addresses when construction waste transitions to a marketable product or secondary raw material, with the goal of establishing EU-wide criteria for end-of-waste classification. The report identifies aggregates, concrete, fired clay bricks, and gypsum as having the highest potential for end-of-waste criteria, while also acknowledging significant challenges, such as material contamination and market dynamics, that must be overcome to promote recycling and reuse in the construction industry. Read more.

EDUCATIONAL NEWS

Discover the TMS Masonry Education Hub

THE MASONRY SOCIETY

Unlock a world of masonry knowledge with The Masonry Society’s (TMS) Masonry Education Hub. This resource offers on-demand courses for industry professionals, professors, students, and enthusiasts alike, with expert-led sessions on topics like sustainability, strength design, innovations in masonry, and more. Most courses provide continuing education, and many qualify for AIA Learning Units.