THE EVOLUTION OF EMBODIED CARBON PUBLIC POLICY AT A GLANCE

Wood: Helping Decarbonize Buildings

LAURIE PIQUE

TECHNICAL ADVISOR, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, CECOBOIS

As the climate crisis intensifies, the decarbonization of buildings has become a priority in global climate strategies. Policies and initiatives continue to surface involving the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the construction sector, which remains a major contributor.

As a renewable natural resource, wood is gaining recognition as a significant component in the transition to a low-carbon construction sector. Its ability to help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings provides a concrete solution to the urgent challenges that continue to plague the construction sector. Studies show that replacing carbon-intensive structural materials like steel and concrete with wood can reduce GHG emissions by 25% to 40%.1

The rise of wood in construction

Beyond its warmth and aesthetic appeal, the environmental benefits of wood in construction are two-fold: it both sequesters and stores carbon. Despite this complementarity, both processes remain fairly distinct. Carbon sequestration occurs during tree growth. Through photosynthesis, wood is formed when living trees absorb CO2 from the atmosphere, releasing oxygen (O) and integrating carbon (C) into their structure. Carbon storage, however, only begins after the tree has been harvested and transformed into building materials. At this stage, carbon is captured in the wood for the duration of its use within the structure, the insulation, the wall cladding, along with the joinery and interior design. The carbon stored in this wood is therefore slow to return to the atmosphere. Due to a manufacturing process that creates fewer GHG emissions, wood also leads to a smaller carbon footprint than conventional building materials like concrete and steel, which demand significant amounts of energy in the manufacturing process.

Wood integration policies from around the world

Whether by cultural motivation or a genuine commitment to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, many countries have begun promoting the use of wood in construction by adapting their laws and policies.

Germany: Construction pioneer in the sustainable integration of wood

Since 2019, the German Building Code (Deutsche Bauordnung) has allowed the use of wood in medium- and high-rise constructions, or buildings of six storeys or more. Germany also launched its Charter for Wood2 (Charta für Holz) in 2004, seeking to increase the use of wood by 20% per capita within 10 years. Having achieved its objectives ahead of schedule, the initiative quickly evolved into the Charter for Wood 2.0. It seeks to increase the use of wood as a building material while integrating principles linked to the circular economy, material efficiency, and sustainable resource management. The Charter for Wood 2.0 represents a key step in the German government’s 2050 climate action plan. It intends to double the use of wood in the construction sector by 2030, thereby significantly reducing CO2 emissions.

France: An ambitious regulatory framework to promote wood and bio-sourced construction

Implemented in 2022, France’s 2020 environmental regulations, commonly known as RE2020, impose strict requirements and establish threshold limits regarding the carbon footprint of buildings, including the embodied carbon of materials. These regulations indirectly promote the use of wood as a material with a small carbon footprint to meet the country’s energy and environmental performance targets for new buildings.

The structural resistance of wood has led to the creation of standards defined by a set of unified technical documents, known as the Documents Techniques Unifiés (DTU). These technical and regulatory measures have led to the construction of multi-storey wood buildings, including innovative projects like the 56-metre Silva Tower in Bordeaux. It is the tallest wooden tower in Europe.3

Since 2012, France has expanded upon its regulatory framework with a new state-certified label, Bâtiment biosourcé (bio-sourced building). This label promotes the use of bio-sourced materials like wood, hemp, straw, flax and sheep’s wool in new buildings. The label was updated in 2024 to include ever more stringent requirements. The 2024 label4 will measure the amount of stored biogenic carbon before including new thresholds based on building typology, thus strengthening France’s commitment to low-carbon construction.

BIO-SOURCED BUILDING STATE CERTIFIED LABEL, FRANCE9

Wood at the heart of Japanese innovation: tradition vs modern challenges

A timeless material, wood has been rooted in Japan’s architectural heritage for centuries, adorning traditional temples and shrines. Over and above its historical significance, wood has become an integral part of Japanese regulations. 2010 saw the passing of a law promoting the use of wood in public buildings. These regulations promote the use of wood in small and medium-sized public buildings, thereby supporting the local forestry economy and helping to combat climate change.

Noted for its high seismic activity, Japan faces constant challenges associated with the structural safety of buildings in the event of earthquakes. To meet these challenges, strict technical standards govern construction, particularly those that involve high-rise buildings. The country’s building code was revised in the 2010s, leading to the introduction of cross-laminated timber (CLT) for use in both residential and commercial multi-storey structures. Light and flexible wood offers remarkable resistance to seismic activity while reducing the building’s carbon footprint.5

Wood: Driving American innovation in high-rise constructions

Regulations regarding the use of wood in the United States are constantly evolving and adapting to new safety and durability standards. The United States attracted attention due to recent changes made to its National Building Code. The code is intended to standardize fire safety, structural resistance and the use of wood. More recently, it led to the introduction of CLT in high-rise constructions. Faced with growing demand for housing and urban infrastructure, the National Building Code tends to promote the construction of higher buildings, allowing up to 18 storeys in an effort to reduce urban sprawl.

Two initiatives seek to promote the use of wood in high-rise buildings: The Wood First Initiative, and the High-Rise Wood Innovation Challenge. These programs foster sectoral innovation by supporting the integration of CLT and glued laminated timber (GLT) in housing projects, office buildings, and even schools. One example is the solid wood Ascent MKE, one of the country’s tallest buildings, with 24 storeys and a height exceeding 86 metres. Ascent MKE demonstrates the ability of wood to meet the demands of high-rise constructions.

©ICD-ITKE BUGA WOOD PAVILION, GERMANY

Canadian initiatives in wood: Promoting innovation and competitiveness

The Green Construction Through Wood (GCWood) Program at Natural Resources Canada seeks to increase the adoption of wood construction technologies, along with the use of wood products in construction projects. The goal is to support Canada’s commitment to its 2030 and 2050 emission reduction targets under the Paris Agreement, and to advance its priorities regarding the long-term reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG). Since 2017, the program has funded 16 demonstration projects split between high-rise wood buildings, low-rise non-residential buildings, and wood bridges.6

Under its Mass Timber Policy for Rezonings, the City of Vancouver identified zones in which the maximum height of buildings could be increased by two or three storeys if built from solid wood. This policy is intended to accelerate decarbonization in the building sector while promoting the use of wood materials in construction.7

Quebec, for its part, is home to an equally ambitious vision. In 2020, the province adopted the Politique d’intégration du bois en construction (policy for integrating wood in construction), promoting the use of wood in public and private buildings. More specifically, it aims to “to increase the use of wood in construction in order to promote sustainable development in all regions of Quebec and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.”8 The policy rests upon several strategic levers. Modifications to the regulatory framework have been earmarked, allowing for taller wood constructions without neglecting safety and performance standards. The policy also intends to promote collaborative research and development between universities and innovation centres to perfect construction techniques and improve the durability of wood structures. It also encourages the use of wood in public projects by including specific requirements within government and municipal calls for tenders, thus promoting the adoption of wood.

Rodrigues Viana, L., Zaga Mendez, A., Bissonnette, J.-F., and Boucher, J.-F. (2022, June 27). En construction, mieux vaut préconiser le bois pour réduire l’empreinte carbone des bâtiments. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/en-construction-mieux-vaut-preconiser-le-bois-pour-reduire-lempreinte-carbone-des-batiments-180752
Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. 2021. Mitigating climate change. Creating value. Utilising resources efficiently: Charter for Wood 2.0. https://www.charta-fuer-holz.de/fileadmin/charta-fuer-holz/dateien/service/mediathek/Web_ENGL_BMEL_Charta_130721_komplett_1250.pdf
Kaufman & Broad. (n.d.). Silva Tower, one of the highest wooden towers in Europe. https://corporate.kaufmanbroad.fr/en/expertises/realisations/silva-tower-one-of-the-highest-wooden-towers-in-europe/
Direction régionale de l'environnement, de l’aménagement et du logement Normandie. (2024, August 19). Nouveau Label “Bâtiment Biosourcé” 2024 applicable à partir du 1er septembre 2024. https://www.normandie.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/nouveau-label-batiment-biosource-2024-applicable-a-a5926.html
Fujisaki, T., 2022. Policies and initiatives for sustainable wood use promotion by public and private sectors in Japan. Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) on behalf of the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO), Yokohama, Japan. https://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/j/boutai/attach/pdf/japan_policy.pdf
Government of Canada. (n.d.). Green Construction Through Wood (GCWood) Program. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/funding-partnerships/green-construction-through-wood-gcwood-program
City of Vancouver. 2024. Mass Timber Policy for Rezonings. https://guidelines.vancouver.ca/policy-mass-timber-for-rezonings.pdf
Government of Quebec. 2020. Politique d’intégration du bois dans la construction. https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/energie-ressources-naturelles/publications-adm/politique/PO_construction_bois.pdf
https://www.batimentbascarbone.org/

European Low-Carbon Policies:

In the Past Year

AMANDINE CADRO

BUILDING CARBON NEUTRALITY ANALYST (NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS), STUDIO CARBONE

Adopted in 2002 and since revised, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) sets a common framework for energy consumption and GHG emission reduction targets in European buildings. It has undergone a complete revision and a new version (2024/1275) was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on May 8, 2024.

Europe’s EPBD directive: a stronger legislative framework

Efforts to decarbonize buildings are being stepped up. Until now, only operational carbon was considered, but the concept of embodied carbon was recently introduced via the Global Warming Potential (GWP) metric, which covers the building’s entire life cycle.

“It brings together greenhouse gas emissions embodied in construction products with direct and indirect emissions from the use stage.” Currently, use of the indicator is optional and voluntary. It will, however, become mandatory on January 11, 2028, for new buildings with over 1,000 m2 of usable floor area, before covering all new buildings starting in 2030. Member states will be required to set GWP limits for all new buildings starting in 2030. The challenges involving harmonized calculation methods have been identified and the directive provides guidelines for consideration (reference study period, applicable standards, etc.).

Some European countries must adapt while others consolidate their existing embodied carbon regulations

Following the European directive’s entry into force, Belgium, which until now had only sought voluntary compliance regarding the quantification of embodied carbon, will be required to fundamentally revise its Energy Performance of Buildings (EPB) regulations by adopting a new decree and implementing law to ensure full compliance with quantifying embodied carbon objectives while introducing new regulatory indicators within the two-year transposition deadline provided to member states. The TOTEM tool, currently used in voluntary measures, appears to be under consideration by Belgium as a potential GWP quantification instrument.

THE NANTERRE ARBORETUM IS EUROPE’S LARGEST WOOD CAMPUS. THE CAMPUS’ LIFE CYCLE REDUCES CARBON EMISSIONS BY 48% COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL CONSTRUCTION.

Sweden, meanwhile, still intends to introduce regulatory thresholds for embodied carbon by mid-2025 via the Klimatdeklaration (climate declaration) which, at the moment, merely requires the quantification of embodied carbon in new building constructions. In the first proposal issued by Boverket,1 the threshold will strictly cover material manufacturing, site delivery, and use within the building (modules A1 to A5). It will, however, cover more building elements than the current version of Klimatdeklaration (integration of interior finishes and electromechanical systems). To date, no publication appears to indicate whether or not the new directive’s entry into force will have an impact on the threshold introduction date.

Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning

Low-Carbon Construction:

VANCOUVER OPENS THE DOOR TO NEW EMBODIED CARBON REGULATIONS

LAURIE PIQUE

TECHNICAL ADVISOR, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, CECOBOIS

A pioneer in low-carbon regulations, the City of Vancouver was quick to grasp the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions linked to the embodied carbon of building materials, particularly after it began improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Starting in March 2025, the City of Vancouver will take crucial steps in the fight against climate change by adopting ambitious regulations involving the reduction of embodied carbon in buildings.

Beyond energy efficiency: Embodied carbon at the heart of the next evolution

Historically, regulations that seek to reduce GHG emissions in the construction sector have focused on improving energy efficiency by targeting operational carbon. In 2019, the usage phase in Vancouver buildings accounted for over 50% of the city’s total carbon emissions, or 1.38 million tonnes.1 For its part, embodied carbon accounts for all GHG emissions generated throughout the life cycle of building materials: resource extraction, transport, manufacturing, maintenance, replacement, and end-of-life. According to Vancouver estimates, building materials emit 179,500 tonnes of carbon each year,2 highlighting their significant contribution to the sector’s emissions. As a result, the city’s new regulations seek to bring significant reductions to the embodied carbon content of its buildings.

2022 regulations: A significant breakthrough for embodied carbon

In 2022, a new section of the law regarding low-carbon building materials was amended to the Vancouver Building By-Law. Aware of the need to include embodied carbon within its regulations, the City of Vancouver set itself the ambitious target of reducing embodied carbon in its buildings by 40% by 2030. This innovative regulation demands that construction professionals calculate, limit and, wherever possible, reduce the embodied carbon emissions in new buildings. The regulation is supported by two fundamental pillars: A mandatory assessment of embodied carbon, and a progressive reduction of thresholds. Thus, all future construction projects must include a material life cycle analysis (LCA) as a prerequisite for building permits. Projects must also integrate a minimum 10% reduction in whole-building embodied carbon emissions, as compared to a reference building.5

RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL

Ambitious embodied carbon reduction measures for 2025

To further its commitment to reducing embodied carbon in construction, the City of Vancouver continues to enforce its requirement to assess and report the embodied carbon emissions of new buildings when obtaining building permits. In addition, 20% embodied carbon reductions have been imposed on buildings of up to six storeys (when wood is an option), along with a 10% reduction for all buildings, thus gradually increasing thresholds. The new requirements demand that construction professionals integrate one of the following criteria for low environmental impact materials: Sustainable and ethical materials, healthy and transparent materials, or materials from the circular economy. Optionally, they may double the embodied carbon reduction to 40% for buildings of up to six storeys (when wood is an option), along with a 20% reduction for all buildings.

Industry leadership credits have also been incorporated into the modifications planned for 2025. These optional credits make it easier for projects to meet the reduction targets set by the regulations, contributing up to 5% of the required 10%. These credits are awarded to projects that implement specific measures, like reductions in the embodied carbon of optional life cycle analysis components, limit emissions from the construction process (phases A4-A5), use circularity principles (reuse of buildings or materials, designs involving disassembly), and report post-construction concrete quantities. This approach seeks to provide the industry with sufficient time to develop the necessary skills, adopt best practices, and foster innovation.

Exemplary regulations to accelerate building decarbonization

In summary, the new embodied carbon regulations confirm Vancouver’s role as a pioneer in low-carbon construction. By imposing ambitious and progressive requirements, the city is urging the industry to adopt materials with fewer environmental impacts while incorporating innovative practices. This regulatory framework may inspire other municipalities to follow suit and accelerate their transition to decarbonized buildings. The climate emergency calls for concrete action, and Vancouver’s visionary regulations intend to transform the construction sector while actively contributing to the fight against climate change.

Definitions Embodied carbon refers to the total amount of GHG emissions related to building materials over the building’s entire life cycle.3

Operational carbon refers to the carbon emitted during the building’s usage, which includes heating, among other things.4

https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/ccr-24-0022-embodied-carbon.pdf
Ibid.
Journal Décarbonation, Cecobois
Ibid.
City of Vancouver. (n.d.). Embodied Carbon Guidelines https://vancouver.ca/files/cov/embodied-carbon-guidelines.pdf

From Buy Clean to Build Clean:

A New Paradigm for the Construction

LAURENCE DROUIN

SENIOR MANAGER - STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PARTNERSHIPS

LAURIE PIQUE

TECHNICAL ADVISOR, SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION, CECOBOIS

At a time when every emitted tonne of greenhouse gas (GHG) heavily tilts the climate balance, the construction sector, ranked third largest emitter in the world and responsible for 37% of global GHG emissions,1 requires a new perspective regarding the way in which we design, build and use our buildings. For this purpose, the construction sector’s transition to carbon neutrality will require a range of policies before it can meet the 2050 objectives set by the Paris Agreement. Several North American regulations focus on materials using the Buy Clean strategy, while other jurisdictions, notably in Europe, opt for the Build Clean approach, which considers the building as a whole. While both methods share a common goal in reducing the building’s carbon footprint, they differ in scope regarding their potential impacts, implementation, and priorities.

©STÉPHANE GROLEAU

PARC NATIONAL DU LAC-TÉMISCOUATA RECEPTION BUILDING

Buy Clean: A first step

The Buy Clean approach promotes the use of products with a lower carbon footprint than the average product used for certain targeted building materials. The approach is based on the environmental impact transparency of specific products, as it appears in the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). It therefore urges material suppliers to declare and reduce the GHG emissions associated with their products. This method is relatively simple to implement and generally falls under the scope of procurement policies. More often than not, it targets only a few traditional materials known for their high carbon intensity, such as concrete. The success of the approach depends on the willingness of manufacturers to invest in the development and innovation of new production technologies in an effort to produce materials with smaller carbon footprints. EPDs help professionals, like architects and engineers, familiarize themselves with the environmental impact of construction products. However, since only a limited comparison of EPDs is possible, helping professionals find low-carbon materials can be difficult. Finally, the supply issue remains complex, since the availability of these materials remains limited in certain regions.

Build Clean: A holistic approach

The overall goal of the Build Clean approach is to reduce GHG emissions by considering the building as a whole. It therefore calls upon a design and construction process focused on reducing the building’s overall embodied carbon footprint, rather than on specific materials. Starting with the design phase, the Build Clean method promotes innovation through a global perspective that seeks to optimize material choices while implementing efficient construction strategies.

The Build Clean strategy compares the concept under consideration with a traditional reference scenario, or an imposed threshold limit, expressed in kilograms of CO2 equivalent per square metre (kg eq. CO2/m2). France’s RE2020 environmental regulation prefers this approach, which sets a maximum, pre-determined GHG emission threshold for various building typologies

The Build Clean strategy compares the concept under consideration with a traditional reference scenario, or an imposed threshold limit. France’s RE2020 environmental regulation prefers this approach, which sets a maximum, pre-determined GHG emission threshold for various building typologies.

An approach that fosters innovation

Broadly speaking, the Build Clean strategy redesigns construction techniques to reduce overall emissions. Technological innovations, like the integration of prefabrication or the use of BIM,1 can therefore help reduce on-site waste while optimizing the use of materials. Certain solutions involve construction designs that facilitate dismantling and deconstruction, thus allowing for the reuse of materials in accordance with circular economy principles. By integrating on-site recycling and material reuse strategies, companies can reduce their carbon footprint while cutting costs.

A gradual introduction based on proper preparation

The Build Clean approach is essential in reducing GHG emissions because it reconsiders the construction process through more sustainable building techniques. Its implementation, however, requires assistance from the regulatory body involved, along with industry adaptation.

Indeed, the regulatory body must choose the assessment methodology and, eventually, establish the emission compliance thresholds. While various industries are required to communicate their products’ carbon footprint through EPDs, for example, designers must also develop the skills to properly assess embodied carbon.

To facilitate this transition, many jurisdictions request the building’s life cycle analysis or GHG assessments before granting the required building permit. This may not guarantee an immediate reduction in the carbon footprint, but the transition can help these jurisdictions adopt the right methods and tools while familiarizing designers with the new approach.

The compliance method chosen will then facilitate or complicate the implementation process. Designers must therefore design a reference building for each assessment, comparing each building with a reference scenario. This can simplify the setting of threshold limits for designers. However, the regulatory body must conduct a preliminary study to determine average emissions based on building typology, along with a methodology recommendation to ensure the uniformity of GHG assessments.

Progress that sets an example

Before the introduction of the RE2020 regulation, the French government relied upon voluntary measures, called “E+C-,” which helped professionals familiarize themselves with life cycle analysis tools while gathering the information required to implement the regulation in 2022. Subsequently, emission limit values were established for various building typologies, and the early announcement of lower threshold values in upcoming years led to greater predictability and innovation within the industry.

Building Information Modelling

Figure 1

Example of an embodied GHG emissions analysis for various structure-envelope combinations in a multi-residential building using the GESTIMAT tool

Figure 2 Comparative table of both methods

The French experiment provides an example and facilitates the introduction of this comprehensive regulatory approach for other jurisdictions, as well as for voluntary certifications. Two examples can be found in the Canadian Zero-Carbon Building (ZCB) standard, along with new regulations in the cities of Toronto and Vancouver. Quebec’s requirement regarding the inclusion of GHG assessments for public sector projects, along with the use of ZCB standards, for example, has helped professionals familiarize themselves with the life cycle analysis.

Exploring two different methods

In practice, the Buy Clean approach focuses on specific products with smaller carbon footprints within a targeted material category, while the Build Clean approach seeks an overall reduction in the building’s embodied carbon from a holistic perspective. Different approaches may be considered to further reduce the building’s embodied carbon, namely GHG emission reductions involving construction materials.

The Buy Clean approach, which encourages the use of products with a smaller carbon footprint within certain material categories, facilitatesimplementation within procurement policies. Its scope is limited, since targets are generally limited to certain materials, without considering the building as a whole.

The Build Clean approach, which seeks a global reduction in the building’s embodied carbon, targets the entire industry and drives innovation. It demands that companies provide low-carbon materials, and that professionals optimize their building design and material selections through simplified life cycle analysis and GHG assessment tools. It also calls upon jurisdictions to implement a methodology that can facilitate reporting on embodied carbon reductions. Despite the efforts involved, several jurisdictions have demonstrated the method’s feasibility, as well as the overall benefits associated with embodied carbon reductions in the construction sector.

Definitions from Natasha Jeremic’s document Buy Clean: Procurement strategy that favours the use of products with a lower carbon footprint for certain building materials.

Build Clean: Global strategy that reduces the embodied carbon of the entire building, requiring a life cycle analysis or global GHG assessment.

LEED and ZCB Certifications

AMANDINE CADRO

BUILDING CARBON NEUTRALITY ANALYST (NEW AND EXISTING BUILDINGS), STUDIO CARBONE

When the decarbonization of construction becomes a priority, embodied carbon holds a privileged position in the fight to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

This section will discuss environmental certification using testimonials from four professionals who apply them in their day-to-day activities: Alexandre Bouchard, Julie-Anne Chayer, Sarah Guermonprez and Josée Lupien.

Voluntary environmental certifications to reduce embodied carbon

In response to the challenges involved, several voluntary environmental certification programs currently include specific requirements that seek to encourage the construction and renovation of low-carbon buildings. In Quebec, two programs stand out as key references: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and ZCB (Zero-Carbon Buildings) Design and Performance standards. This section will explore both programs, focusing on their embodied carbon requirements, along with their contributions to the advancement of sustainable practices across Quebec.

In addition to operational carbon, ZCB Design and Performance certification demands a minimal and proven embodied carbon performance. LEED certification, on the other hand, involves a non-mandatory requirement in the form of a credit that can be used to obtain points according to the desired certification profile. The ZCB Design standard provides designers with two options for compliance: An embodied carbon intensity ceiling, or a minimum 10% improvement, as comparedto a reference building. The ZCB Performance standard, on the other hand, specifically targets the building’s usage phase, namely its operational carbon. If LEED certification credit is selected, the project’s life cycle analysis (LCA) must demonstrate a 10% reduction compared to the reference building for a minimum of three indicators, including Global Warming Potential.

For the LCAs, both programs agree on the same criterion: Consideration for the structural and envelope materials across all life cycles, from cradle to grave (A to C), using any preferred software. However, they differ on biogenic carbon integration, or the carbon stored in biogenic materials; while LEED integrates this component, the ZCB standard does not. According to Josée Lupien, President at Vertima, “people are encouraged to perform a separate calculation, since it represents a recognized innovation.”

In Quebec, two programs stand out as key references: LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and ZCB (Zero-Carbon Buildings) Design and Performance standards.

CHAUVEAU SOCCER COMPLEX ACHIEVES LEED SILVER CERTIFICATION.

THE BUILDING DESIGNED BY THE RAYSIDE LABOSSIÈRE ARCHITECTURAL FIRM RECEIVED ZCB CERTIFICATION.

©Saúl Rosales

Tougher environmental certifications for embodied carbon

To meet the 40% embodied carbon reduction targets by 2030, the requirements of the ZCB standards were recently modified with the release of Version 4 in June 2024. The maximum carbon intensity, initially set at 500 kg eq. CO2/m2, has been reduced to 425 kg eq. CO2/m2). A new building category was also created for warehouses and distribution centres, with a maximum value set at 350 kg eq. CO2/m2). The improvement percentage in relation to the reference building remains unchanged. Similarly, LEED certification evolved in 2025 with the release of Version 5. Embodied carbon plays a greater role in this version with the introduction of a prerequisite, in addition to the existing credit, which remains unchanged, despite allowing for a greater accumulation of points. This involves the inclusion of the Global Warming Potential within the material manufacturing phases (A1 to A3). Julie-Anne Chayer, Vice-President at Groupe Agéco, a leader in multi-sector social and environmental responsibility, points to the new concept of building resilience, which appears in the latest version and involves “an increasingly complex carbon footprint to calculate.” According to Alexandre Bouchard, partner at Martin Roy & Associés, designing buildings that are better equipped to withstand natural disasters while quickly recovering from undesirable events will likely involve “trade-offs,” using the example of an oversized stormwater drainage network with a greater carbon impact during construction, while ultimately preventing flooding or significant building damages and, by extension, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Benefits for professionals

According to every professional who was interviewed, the voluntary programs have led to educational efforts. As Julie-Anne Chayer points out, the LCA helped “designers integrate a holistic approach to environmental issues beyond the building’s energy consumption and eco-friendly materials.” These programs are being developed at an increasing rate, while others are being combined, reflecting what Alexandre Bouchard calls “a desire to do things right” with support from “federal grant programs like GICB,1 which demands ZCB standard compliance for subsidized projects.” According to Sarah Guermonprez, Team Leader, Sustainable Building at Groupe Agéco, “the standard is becoming increasingly commonplace in day-to-day activities; project teams are embracing it more and more while clarifying the distinction between embodied and operational carbon.” According to Alexandre Bouchard, these programs serve “as decision-making tools that democratize the carbon knowledge of professionals, which can be reused in future projects.”

«IN THE LONG TERM, THERE IS POTENTIAL TO CREATE A BETTER PRODUCTION-USE CHAIN, BETTER PRODUCTS, AND GREATER SUPPLY ACCOUNTABILITY WITHIN THE DECARBONIZATION PLANS IMPLEMENTED BY DEVELOPERS AND PORTFOLIO MANAGERS.»

Alexandre Bouchard goes on to say that such guidelines have the advantage of “being ahead of the standards [and] help to design more efficient and environmentally conscious buildings than those that typically result from national or provincial building codes.” For her part, Josée Lupien considers the challenges involved in “rethinking our way of doing things,” evoking a research project that involves the optimization of “a curved cladding installation method that reduces the quantities of materials required, which leads to a reduction in embodied carbon with equivalent performance.”

These programs can also benefit manufacturers. Indeed, in addition to reducing the carbon impact of buildings, Josée Lupien believes that the growing use of EPDs will likely help “identify hot spots and improve their balance sheets through R&D steps.” In her view, this optimization becomes all the more necessary since “everything is interconnected [...] so we need even more creativity without neglecting end-of-life and product circularity,” since raw materials eventually run out: “Today’s waste is tomorrow’s gold.” Ultimately, Julie-Anne Chayer sees potential “to create a better production-use chain, better products, and greater supply accountability within the decarbonization plans implemented by developers and portfolio managers.” According to her, artificial intelligence will “have a considerable impact on the industry over time [and] clarify our understanding of these supply chains.”

CHAUVEAU SOCCER COMPLEX

Other anticipated or desired developments in the coming years

The various professionals that were interviewed unanimously stated the many changes that have occurred in recent years regarding the way in which environmental issues are considered. Josée Lupien notes “a feeling of pride toward a market that is growing in maturity, with more tools and better knowledge.”

Nevertheless, professionals continue to demand changes within life cycle analyses, particularly with regard to the integration of electromechanical systems (MEPs), which have a significant carbon impact that accounts for up to 30% of the building’s overall impact. This change will take place over the next few years, according to information obtained by Alexandre Bouchard at the 2024 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. Josée Lupien points to the “MEP 2040 movement, an initiative from the Carbon Leadership Forum, which commits signatory firms to deliver their EPDs” to help facilitate the integration of MEPs within the scope of the LCAs. Sarah Guermonprez and Josée Lupien also agree on the need to integrate “as many materials as possible, including interior finishes, like in France [which requires] environmental declarations for a greater number of products” by mobilizing manufacturers.

According to Julie-Anne Chayer, state-certified labels “have created dualities with an artificial separation between operational carbon and embodied carbon, which does not exist in any life cycle analysis.” With greater understanding, she eventually hopes to “return to something that can better interweave operational and embodied carbon and help clarify the interconnected effect.” She looks forward to “recovering the LCA tool’s ability to bring everyone together at the same table to discuss construction improvements as a whole, not by reducing the LCA to its simplest form, but by using its power to go far beyond the embodied carbon component.” According to Josée Lupien, another considerable challenge lies in the need to “harmonize research requirements, perimeters and barriers between inter-provincial programs and regulations.” In her view, the world shares a single goal that often becomes “confusing within the market, going so far as to demobilize developers.” She also singles out “the importance of comprehensive third-party LCA verifications, which should become an integral part of every project by promoting the method’s formative aspects and challenge of expertise.”

For his part, Alexandre Bouchard states that certification is “currently insufficient, and that states, provinces, and countries have a role to play in creating stricter rules.” He also cautions against the embodied carbon reduction work that surrounds projects, pointing to “Jevons paradox and the rebound effect: Something not very good becomes better, then we forget that something better always existed elsewhere.” He turns to the example of “concrete recipes that seek to optimize efficiency in terms of GHG emissions, forgetting that wood emits less GHG than concrete.” To prevent this, he agrees with “Quebec’s wood integration policy in construction, which requires certain public projects to conduct an embodied carbon simulation using the GESTIMAT tool, which requires a comparison between the project and a wood structure.”

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