Carbon / Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) Workshop


A dynamic day of learning about impacts of materials and systems in our built environment


As building performance and energy efficiency increases for new buildings, greater awareness is being paid to the life cycle impacts of the materials and systems which comprise the building structure.  Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) has been recognized in most major green building rating systems as an important tool to evaluate and reduce the embodied impacts of construction, including transportation of materials. 


In addition, global recognition of the impact of carbon emissions has led to global, national, provincial and regional regulations being enacted to measure, regulate and reduce both operational and embodied carbon emissions.  Indeed, the City of Vancouver now requires embodied carbon impacts be reported for all rezoning and Vancouver Affordable Housing Authority projects.


Participants will:



  • Learn why and how carbon is being regulated;

  • Understand how carbon emissions are measured;

  • Learn how nations, including Canada, report sources and are making efforts to reduce carbon emissions from natural sources and building operations;

  • Gain essential knowledge about LCA tools in general;

  • Receive an overview of several different LCA tools currently in use, including a comparison of their similarities, differences and data sources; and

  • Gain a functional understanding on using an important life cycle assessment tool, the Athena Impact Estimator.


Who should attend:  This workshop is designed to provide architects, engineers, contractors, sustainable design consultants as well as building, planning and regulatory officials with the basic knowledge and tools to understand LCA and embodied carbon impacts.  Participants will receive advance materials for preview, including sample building exercise files; presentations in PDF and written format, and a copy of the Athena Impact Estimator.


More information online at www.wood-works.ca/bc