Demystifying Decarbonization: Data Driven Design

In this episode, Kristof sits down with sustainability expert Josh Jacobs to demystify the ins and outs of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Product Category Rules (PCRs) and ISO Standards that are causing a decarbonization to happen around the world.

Translating the complex data of an LCA into a standardized format, EPDs function as 'nutrition labels' for building materials, helping designers and specifiers count the 'carbon calories' of everything from steel girders to heat pumps. Josh and Kristof explore the critical shift from focusing exclusively upon operational carbon to including embodied carbon in the carbon reduction conversation, break down the cradle-to-grave phases of building materials, and offer actionable insights on using better data to make truly sustainable design decisions.

Apologies that Kristof’s mic was clipping. 

Josh Jacobs

Josh has helped numerous AHJs develop and implement sustainable purchasing policies and requirements, including but not limited to: the US General Service Administration, the US Military through the UFGS, the State of California, the city of New York, the Building Construction Authority of Singapore, and numerous universities and private businesses. Josh has also helped develop influential materials, human health, product emissions, and indoor air quality criteria in numerous global codes and rating systems, including but not limited to LEED v4 and v4.1, Fitwel, Green Globes, CALGreen, IgCC, ASHRAE 189.1, and BREEAM. He also works with organizations investor relations and sustainability teams to understand ESG financial reporting tools such as SASB, GRI, and TCF along with looking at their carbon footprint.

Links from the Episode

Organizations Mentioned:

MEP2040: An organization and steering committee focused on decarbonizing mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.

WAP Sustainability Consulting: A large life cycle assessment organization that helps manufacturers create EPDs.

SLR: A global environmental and advisory firm that owns WAP.

USGBC: The U.S. Green Building Council, associated with the LEED rating system.

ASHRAE: The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

ISO: The International Organization for Standardization.

NSF: An organization with an EPD program (distinct from the National Science Foundat