Presented by: Vern Solbak RHI, LEED ap BD+C
February 25, 2014 ABDC’s Conference What’s Next in Green Building
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 1 of 24
Source: Alberta Biomaterials Development Centre
Outline
My Background What Makes a Product Green? How to Avoid Green-washing - Credibility Certifications Tools and Information Programs Alberta Infrastructure Standards A Word about ‘Why LEED?’ Summary / Future Trends
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 2 of 24
My Background Private industry – 2 architectural firms City of Edmonton – Buildings and
Construction Branch – project management Technical Services Branch :
Design review for capital projects Participate in integrated design for larger projects Resource group for other Branches Research and Development of TSB standards
Currently includes studies in sustainability Attending/presenting conferences
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 3 of 24
What Makes a Product Green?
Green Attributes
Avoid Hazardous Ingredients Low-emitting [VOC’s] Bio-based and Sustainably Sourced Responsible Corporate Practices Information Transparency Renewable Energy Equipment
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2012/2/2/What -Makes-a-Product-Green/ What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 4 of 24
What Makes a Product Green?
Green Attributes
Reduces Material Use Durable or Low Maintenance Reusable, Recyclable or Compostable Prevents Moisture or Air-quality Problems Rapidly Renewable Reduces Heating and Cooling Loads
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2012/2/2/What -Makes-a-Product-Green/ What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 5 of 24
How to Avoid Green-washing
Importance of Credibility Nine types of Green-wash
Green by Association Lack of Definition Unproven Claims The Non Sequitur [using a valid claim to make
a further claim that is not supported] Forgetting the Life Cycle [the red herring]
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/nine-types-greenwashing What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 6 of 24
How to Avoid Green-washing
Importance of Credibility
Bait and Switch Rallying behind a Lower Standard Reluctant Enthusiast Outright Lying
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www2.buildinggreen.com/blogs/nine-types-greenwashing What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 7 of 24
Certifications Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 8 of 24
Certifications
Understanding Certifications
Standards development – ISO, ANSI, CSA
[standard versus certification] Certifications to labels – 1st, 2nd, 3rd party Indoor Air Quality Certifications Forestry Certifications Energy Certifications Multiple - Attribute Certifications Other Certifications and Performance Labels Remember – certifications are just tools
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://www.buildinggreen.com/auth/article.cfm/2008/1/1/Behind-the-Logos-Understanding-Green-Product-Certifications/ What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 9 of 24
Certifications Example – Greenguard certification website
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://www.greenguard.org/en/CertificationPrograms/CertificationPrograms_ChildrenSchools.aspx What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 10 of 24
Tools & Programs
Moving Towards Transparency
California Section 01350 The Pharos Project GreenSpec Directory BEES 4.0 [Life Cycle Analysis] Athena Institute [Life Cycle Analysis] EPD’s [Environmental Product Declaration] HPD’s [Health Product Declaration]
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 11 of 24
Pharos Project Example – Screenshot for ‘wheatboard’ products
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://pharosproject.net/product_search/results/cat96 What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 12 of 24
Pharos Project Example – Highest rated ‘wheatboard’ product
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://pharosproject.net/product_search/results/cat96 What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 13 of 24
Pharos Project Example – Lowest rated ‘wheatboard’ product
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://pharosproject.net/product_search/results/cat96 What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 14 of 24
GreenSpec Example – Search for ‘wheatboard’ product
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 15 of 24
GreenSpec Example – Select from ‘Product Categories’
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 16 of 24
GreenSpec Example – Scroll through options or ‘Search’
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 17 of 24
GreenSpec Example – ‘Search’ for ‘wheatboard’.
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 18 of 24
GreenSpec Example – ‘Click’ on ‘Kirei Wheatboard’.
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 19 of 24
GreenSpec Example – Note other tools and related LEED credits
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.greenspec.buildinggreen.com What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 20 of 24
Alberta Infrastructure Standards
Red Book Standard, Blue Book, Green Book
Sustainability [LEED Silver for larger projects] Building Envelope [PERSIST standard, ASHRAE] S/M/E standards Acoustics Barrier-Free Design Site Services Landscape Development [avoiding flood zones] Environmental [avoiding hazmat] Basic Master Specifications
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: www.infrastructure.alberta.ca/992.htm What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 21 of 24
A Word About ‘Why LEED?’
Embracing LEED Before LEED Each successive version of LEED ups the bar LEED brought credibility to the green movement Claims are 3rd party verified [audited] LEED although a voluntary standard – has
become dominant in the world - revolutionary LEED is a community standard LEED asks people to have integrity People are now demanding healthier buildings
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: Blog - ‘Defending LEED’ by Jason F. McLennan What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 22 of 24
Summary / Future Trends
Building Product Transparency Labels Energy and other information dashboards
for buildings Take Transparency from Best Practice to
Standard Practice Life Cycle Assessment for buildings and
building materials – common practice CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] the
leading driver for major companies
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market
Source: http://transparency.perkinswill.com/Media What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 23 of 24
Thank you !
Questions ?
“It’s not easy being green” What’s Next in Green Building - Slide 24 of 24
Promoting Biomaterials in the Green Market