Reducing embodied carbon in all new buildings and renovations is fast becoming a global priority, and in Australia new regulations are on the horizon.

In today's episode, we move on to our final theme - Getting Started - and the first of two episodes to conclude the season.

I talk with environmental architect, artist and well known Australian climate advocate Lucy Humphrey. Lucy is a director of the climate active architecture practice Studio Ecology, she teaches at the School of Architecture at the University of Sydney and the Sydney University of Technology and was a co-founder of the Australian branch of ACAN.

Today, Lucy gives us a powerful wake up call about the current state of our planet. And she shares strategies to help us decarbonise our designs and meet our global targets, so together we can bring about change.

We'll learn about:

What's really happening to the planet and why change is urgent,
The validity of climate emotions
About Life cycle carbon assessments and practical strategies to reduce embodied carbon.
What's happening to the construction industry in Denmark where construction carbon caps are now mandatory, and also
The critical importance wholistic design thinking

Australian Architects can claim formal CPD hours the time they spend listening to the podcasts.

MORE INFORMATION

Find everything you need on the Renovation Collaborative website.

www.renovationcollaborative.com.au

PODCASTKey points summary, timestamps and resource links
FREERESOURCESTranscript edited into clear Q&A.
CPDAustralian architects can find more information on CPD, and
COURSESEleven easy to read courses demystifying the entire home design and construction process.

KEY POINTS SUMMARY

[01:08:57] Stephanie:

Today's summary only scratches the surface, and I found it very challenging to narrow down six key points. Lucy’s knowledge and passion are both inspiring and empowering so I recommend listening to the episode or reading the transcript.

1. Climate emotions are valid and can include heavy feelings such as anger, isolation, grief and guilt. It's completely acceptable and healthy to take a step back and say, ‘No, I'm not engaging with this today.’ As an industry, we need to foster open conversations about this to enable everyone to embrace change.

2. Enable clients to make informed decisions about their home designs by sharing embodied carbon information and letting them decide.

The best time to start talking about reducing embodied carbon is in the concept design stage at the very beginning of the project. This is when we have the most power to reduce carbon and all environmental impacts, because we can choose not to build, to reduce the size, we set the direction for the structural system and the form.

Present design options with clearly indicated carbon impacts, such as very low, medium and high carbon. Share this information with engineers and builders to empower all parties to effect change.

3. Embodied carbon is part of material knowledge and must become a fundamental part of every designer's skill set. To get started and gain a general understanding of materials, have a look at the Australian Institute of Architects, Embodied Carbon Curriculum. And learn to do a basic carbon lifecycle assessment.

4. Reduction of carbon emissions - both embodied and operational - is critical, but it's only part of the equation. When designing, always balance three equal aims:

Mitigation of carbon emissions,
Regeneration of nature, and
Adaptation to heat, flooding and bushfire.

5. Ideally, Australia needs to halve its carbon emissions by 2030.

To achieve this in architectural practice, establish a benchmark by measuring the embodied carbon on past projects and aim to halve that on future work. Focus on structural materials because they account for around 70% of embodied carbon.

As a general guide, standard architectural homes average around 500 -1000 kilograms of CO2e, carbon dioxide equivalents per square metre. Lucy suggested that in most cases a 20-30% carbon reduction was reasonably achievable through designing out heavy carbon materials like concrete and new masonry and material substitution. However greater carbon reductions required substantial use of recycled materials and a significant shift towards avoiding demolition unless absolutely essential.

6. Globally, Denmark has enacted policies around embodied whole of life carbon including caps per square metre. And the good news is their construction industry is alive and well. This legislation has opened up new opportunities in the circular material and recycling industry and created new aesthetics. I love how the innovative Denmark sustainable architectural practice Lendager uses an inspirational tagline ‘Form follows availability.’

And finally, building less comes with benefits of time and financial freedom. There is less stuff to manage, less space to clean, less home to pay for in terms of bills and mortgage. Flow on effects include opportunities to work less hours or even less days in the week, delivering more free time, better health, better relationships and improved quality of life.

Now that's real food for thought.

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

[00:00:00] Introduction

[00:01:44] Why did you become so active in driving environmental change?

[00:04:22] Is anyone talking openly about climate change impacts?

[00:05:22] How is ACAN helping create space for these heavy conversations?

[00:12:08] Are any media talking openly about climate change?

[00:17:39] When and how should approach design for climate change with clients?

[00:20:42] How can architects learn about material embodied carbon and LCAs?

[00:23:35] Is engaging a sustainability consultant for an LCA a good way to get started?

[00:24:25] Do any countries in Europe have regulations around construction carbon emissions?

[00:25:47] Are there any guidelines to help us reduce embodied carbon by 50% by 2030?

[00:29:39] What useful info is in the Leti Guides from the UK?

[00:31:05] Can you give us some practical steps to get started reducing carbon emissions?

[00:32:31] Can you give us advice around the implications of using timber to reduce carbon?

[00:36:44] How easy is it to reduce carbon emissions by 50%

[00:39:41] How can we get to 98% reduction in 10 years?

[00:41:02] Do you have advice on a holistic approach to design?

[00:43:56] No demolition at all is a very big mindshift!

[00:49:25] In Denmark - What has happened to the industry since imposing carbon regulations?

[00:55:20] What is your final advice to help everyone move forward with reducing impacts and embracing change?

[01:07:11] Key point summary

IN THE NEXT EPISODE

Next week we move on to our final Getting Started episode and our final episode in season three.

We'll find out about Climate Action Around Australia and what's happening behind the scenes to bring about change. I talk with guests from:

The Australian Institute of Architects - Sustainability & Climate Action Committee,
The RetroFit Lab - The University of Melbourne
Australian Architects Declare,
ACAN Australia, and
Parlour Regenerative Designers Annexe.

We'll find out who's doing what, how to get involved and where to find more information.

RESOURCE LINKS

EMBODIED CARBON GUIDES

Australian Institute of Architects Embodied Carbon Curriculum

https://www.architecture.com.au/embodied-carbon-curriculum

Australian Reduction Roadmap https://reductionroadmap.au/

EPIC database

https://msd.unimelb.edu.au/research/projects/current/environmental-performance-in-construction

ICE database

https://circularecology.com/embodied-carbon-footprint-database.html

Leti UK – Low Embodied Carbon Specification and Procurement Guide