MECLA shines spotlight on embodied carbon

The Materials and Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) is hosting a Spotlight event on measuring embodied carbon, featuring industry speakers and panellists discussing present and future challenges and opportunities.

Awareness about the importance of embodied carbon has been increasing in recent times, but one of the central questions remains how to measure it accurately. MECLA notes that embodied/upfront carbon measurement and benchmarking is in a dynamic state, and the sector must develop measurement approaches that allow for consistent, comparable, and reliable benchmarking.

“For the industry to succeed in achieving deep reductions in a timely manner, measurement and metrics are essential,” says MECLA. “There’s been a lot happening over the last 12 months to address these challenges and our presenters will provide insight into recent developments.”

Three papers will make up key discussion topics: NABERS’s Embodied Emissions – Consultation Paper, GBCA’s Upfront Carbon Emissions calculation guide, and the MECLA WG2 Discussion Paper.

The NABERS consultation paper on embodied carbon addresses the lack of a consistent method of measurement for embodied emissions in Australia. It includes 10 proposals for five topic areas that outline how a rating tool – tentatively titled the NABERS Embodied Emissions tool – would measure, verify, and compare embodied emissions in new buildings and major refurbishments.

GBCA’s calculation guide is open for feedback from industry and will be discussed in detail. 

The MECLA WG2 Discussion Paper, launched last year, aims to document the dynamic aspects in all parts of the methods on embodied carbon measurement at the level of materials, whole buildings, and infrastructure.  

The MECLA Spotlight on Measuring Embodied Carbon will feature presentations on both the NABERS and GBCA papers, as well as a panel discussion among experts from GBCA, NABERS, and MECLA WG2 sub-chairs.

Speakers and panellists include: Ivana Brown, Sector Lead – Accelerating Net Zero Buildings at NABERS; Deejan Ferrao, Manager – Future Focus Rating Tools at GBCA; Lucy Marsland, Environmental Designer at Atelier Ten; Caroline Noller, CEO and Founder of The Footprint Compan; Jacqui Bonnitcha, Manager, Sustainable Futures, Integrated Solutions, Lendlease; and George Sfinas, Engagement Manager, Standards Australia. 

This online Spotlight qualifies for one CPD point from GBCA (must attend live for at least 50 minutes to qualify). The event will be held on Thursday February 23 at 2.30pm (AEDT).

Click here to register for this event.

Image by Ricardo Esquivel via Pexels.