In a bid to decarbonize buildings, the federal government has allocated $100,000 in funding to support a new training program for architects, to be delivered by the Australian Institute of Architects.
The program intends to “equip architects with the tools to tackle the complex challenge of reducing embodied carbon in buildings,” the communiqué reads.
Aimed at lowering emissions before the construction phase starts, the initiative seeks to provide insight on how to decrease embodied carbon emissions produced through processes such as material extraction, production and transportation of building products, as well as construction, maintenance, repairs and renovations.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said clever approaches to design could assist Australia in achieving its target of net zero emissions by 2050.
“Architects can dramatically reduce emissions from our built environment before one brick is even laid, just by making different design choices,” said McAllister. “Rethinking opportunities and making smarter choices in building design will help decarbonise the industry, but also save costs. Cost effective solutions already exist, we want to help bring these solutions to more architects across Australia.
“Clever design strategies, like repurposing an existing structure in the Quay Quarter Tower, saved 12,000 tonnes of embodied carbon. This is equivalent to taking 2,600 cars off the road.
“We want to help our architects design for a net zero future. This new training program will do just that.”
According to a statement released by the federal government, current market solutions suggest a 5 to 18 percent reduction in embodied carbon could be accomplished while a 0.4 to 3 percent decrease in material costs for typical building and infrastructure projects could be achieved.
“As the electricity grid decarbonizes and energy efficiency is embraced by homes and businesses, embodied carbon will overtake operational emissions, growing from 16 percent of a building’s total emissions in 2019 to 85 percent by 2050.”
The program will comprise a roadmap and toolkit developed by industry experts, to be delivered in person and online via the Australian Institute of Architects.
Source: Architecture - architectureau
