Standards and Materials

Upgrading or constructing buildings for net zero requires not only efficient systems but also clear standards to guide decisions. With so many certifications, codes, and rating systems available, it can be confusing to know what matters most. The good news is that you do not need to become an expert in architecture or engineering to contribute meaningfully. By learning the basics of building performance standards and embodied carbon in materials, you can ask the right questions, set expectations, and advocate for choices that align with sustainability goals.

Building Efficiency Standards

Efficiency begins with how buildings are designed and operated. Various standards and codes provide benchmarks and practical guidance:

• Comprehensive frameworks:
  • Living Building Challenge – A regenerative design framework focused on net-zero energy, water, and materials. It is one of the most ambitious green building standards.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – well-known, broad certification with levels from Certified to Platinum.
  • ASHRAE 189.1 – covers sustainable building design for high-performance new construction.
  • IECC (International Energy Conservation Code) – model code adopted in many jurisdictions.
• Focused energy standards:
  • Passivhaus/PHIUS – A rigorous energy-efficiency standard emphasizing airtight construction, super‑insulation, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.
  • ASHRAE 90.1 – minimum efficiency standard for buildings.
  • Energy Star – U.S. DOE program endorsing efficient products and some building types.
• Health and comfort standards (related but not strictly energy):
  • WELL Building Standard – emphasizes occupant health, including air and water quality, lighting, and comfort.

Why standards matter

Standards give administrators, architects, and contractors a shared language. Referring to LEED or Passivhaus targets, for example, is far more effective than simply asking for a “green building.” Even if your community does not pursue formal certification, these frameworks provide tested checklists and performance levels that can guide design and retrofits.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and GHG Intensity

One of the simplest, clearest measures of building efficiency is Energy Use Intensity (EUI) — the amount of energy a building consumes per square foot per year. Tracking EUI across buildings on campus shows which are efficient and which are lagging. Pairing this with GHG intensity (emissions per square foot) highlights where fossil fuel use is concentrated.

• Use Portfolio Manager or similar tools to calculate EUI.
• Compare results to benchmarks for high-performing buildings.
• Set targets that match or exceed the best performers in your region.

Audits and calculating carbon footprint exercises will likely generate EUI and GHG metrics as part of their reports. These numbers can guide decision-making, funding requests, and progress tracking.

Embodied Carbon: The Hidden Footprint

Reducing operating emissions (Scope 1 and 2) is critical, but new construction or renovations also create embodied carbon — the emissions tied to manufacturing, transporting, and disposing of building materials. These emissions happen up front and are “baked in” for the life of the building.

Key materials to watch

• Concrete: High emissions from cement production. Options include alternative binders, supplementary materials, and careful sourcing.
• Steel: Steel from Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) has less than half the carbon footprint of Basic Oxygen Furnace steel.
• Aluminum: Energy-intensive to produce; recycling is essential.
• Carpet and flooring: Nylon carpet tile dyed at the fiber stage is lower carbon than woven carpets.
• Gypsum board (drywall): Minimize waste and recycle offcuts where possible.

Tools and resources

• Architecture 2030 – comprehensive guidance on reducing embodied carbon.
• Carbon Smart Materials Palette – detailed advice on specific product categories.
• Building Transparency (EC3 database) – searchable data on embodied carbon values in products.
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) – documents provided by manufacturers stating embodied carbon content.

Healthy Buildings and Indoor Air Quality

Sustainability is not only about emissions. Material choices also affect indoor air quality, which directly impacts resident health. Many standards integrate both energy and health:

• Living Building Challenge “Red List” – chemicals and products to avoid.
• WELL Building Standard – guidance on air quality, comfort, and material safety.
• LEED “Material Ingredients” credit – encourages use of safer, transparent materials.

Asking architects and contractors to follow these guidelines reduces risks from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other pollutants, while still advancing energy and climate goals.