Details
1-day course
CPD Credit: 6.5 hours; Competence/s: 1
Course Aim
This course aims to provide delegates with an overview of the Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) which contribute to climate change, their major sources, relative contributions, and how they are measured. It will provide an introduction into how these combine, through Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (CO2-eq), to form Carbon Footprint/s (CF) and the standard methods used to calculate the CF.
Course Overview
At Global, European Union and National levels, extremely challenging targets have been set with the aim of achieving Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2050, in an attempt to keep the world below an average temperature rise of 1.50C and avoid the worst impacts of the climate emergency. In Ireland, the Climate Action Plan 2021 sets out a detailed plan to achieve a 51% reduction in overall greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, with a target to net-zero emissions by no later than 2050. Achieving these reductions will require an evidence-base, on the Carbon Footprint/GHG emissions of products, processes, and services across all sectors.
This course will introduce the standard methods for Carbon Footprinting/Accounting, and how these can be applied, in a range of contexts, with a focus on GHG emissions of products, processes, and services.
Course Objectives
- Understand the current scientific consensus on Climate Change and the latest projections of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
- Understand the Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) which make up the Carbon Footprint (CF), their primary sources and their relative contribution to Climate Change
- Learn how these combine through Carbon Dioxide Equivalents (CO2-eq) to form the Carbon Footprint (CF)
- Learn how to calculate a Carbon Footprint for Products, Processes and Services, using the relevant standard and related guidance (ISO 14067:2018, Greenhouse gases – Carbon footprint of products)
- Learn how to measure Carbon/GHG emissions (Scope 3 Greenhouse Protocol (products), to fulfil the reporting requirements of the International Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) System
- Understand the range and application of other Carbon Footprint/s for organisations and projects
- Understand how the different Carbon Footprint/s relate to each other and combine in measurement and reporting
Course Programme
- Introduction to the current scientific consensus on Climate Change
- Introduction to the Greenhouse Gases (GHG’s) which make up the Carbon Footprint (CF)
- Application of standards and guidance to calculate a Carbon Footprint for Products, Processes and Services
- Introduction to the range and application of other Carbon Footprint/s for organisations and projects
- Introduction to how the different Carbon Footprint/s relate to each other and combine in measurement and reporting
- Recommendations on Next Steps
- Q & A
Who Should Attend?
Engineers and other construction industry disciplines with an interest in evaluating the Carbon Footprint of buildings and processes and making choices between these in the context of reducing Life Cycle carbon emissions and measurement and reporting on progress towards reduction targets.
Note: This course is intended for delegates who are relatively new to this content area and will cover the fundamental principles rather than advanced levels. Also, given the relative infancy of the field and lack of specific case studies, construction will be the focus though principles discussed will be applicable to all industries.
Trainer's Profile
Sarah O’Dwyer is an architect focused on research and teaching responding to climate change design issues. She is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader of the distance learning "Environmental Design of Buildings" MSc in the Welsh School of Architecture at Cardiff University; and teaches in TUDublin School of Architecture, Building and Environment on both “Whole Life Design” and “Environment Services Materials” modules covering climate literacy, environmental impacts and carbon accounting issues. Sarah has carried out and published research related to climate change issues.
In her previous practice work at KHArchitects and the interdisciplinary practice PLACE+U she worked on public housing, cluster housing guidelines, tourism and architectural master planning and age friendly neighbourhood schemes. Current research sees her working with TUDublin on an erasmus plus funded project "Arch4Change" (https://www.arch4change.com) with 4 partner European universities; exploring the co-creation of an architectural climate emergency curriculum.
Her current PhD research also explores methods for integrating sustainability and climate change design theory into architectural education.
She is currently the Chair of the RIAI Sustainability Task Force and is a member of the ARB (UK) engagement panel.
Engineers Ireland supports the Sustainable Development Goals. This event contributes to Engineers Ireland's Sustainability Framework.
Please contact the CPD Training Team for further information on scheduled course dates and In-Company options.