Training Course on Net-Zero Construction and Carbon Footprint Reduction

Training Course on Net-Zero Construction and Carbon Footprint Reduction

Introduction

The urgent need to address climate change has placed significant emphasis on reducing greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors, and the construction industry, a major contributor to global carbon emissions, stands at the forefront of this transformation. This comprehensive training course on Net-Zero Construction and Carbon Footprint Reduction equips professionals with the essential knowledge and practical skills to design, build, and manage environmentally responsible structures. By understanding the principles of sustainable building practices, participants will learn to minimize embodied carbon in materials, optimize energy efficiency in building operations, and integrate renewable energy sources. This course delves into the latest green building technologies, carbon accounting methodologies, and circular economy principles to empower individuals and organizations in achieving significant reductions in their environmental impact and contributing to a more sustainable built environment.

Training Course on Net-Zero Construction and Carbon Footprint Reduction provides a holistic understanding of the journey towards net-zero emissions in the construction sector. Participants will explore strategies for conducting thorough life cycle assessments of buildings, identifying key areas for carbon footprint reduction, and implementing innovative solutions to achieve energy independence. Through practical case studies and interactive exercises, learners will gain proficiency in applying sustainable material selection, passive design principles, and advanced building energy modeling techniques. The course also addresses the importance of waste management and the adoption of circular construction practices, ensuring a comprehensive approach to minimizing environmental impact throughout the entire building lifecycle. By mastering these critical concepts, professionals will be able to drive meaningful change within their organizations and contribute to a future where sustainable construction is the industry standard.

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

1. Understand the fundamental concepts of Net-Zero Construction and its significance in mitigating climate change.
2. Identify and analyze the various sources of carbon emissions throughout the building lifecycle.
3. Master the principles of sustainable material selection and evaluate the embodied carbon of construction materials.
4. Apply passive design strategies to optimize building performance and reduce energy demand.
5. Utilize building energy modeling software to simulate and improve energy efficiency.
6. Integrate renewable energy technologies, such as solar and geothermal, into building designs.
7. Implement effective waste management and circular economy principles in construction projects.
8. Conduct comprehensive life cycle assessments (LCA) to quantify the environmental impact of buildings.
9. Apply carbon accounting methodologies to track and report greenhouse gas emissions.
10. Understand the role of green building certifications (e.g., LEED, BREEAM) in promoting sustainability.
11. Explore innovative green building technologies and their application in achieving net-zero goals.
12. Develop strategies for reducing operational carbon through efficient building management systems.
13. Understand the economic and social benefits of adopting sustainable construction practices.

Organizational Benefits

• Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability can attract environmentally conscious clients and stakeholders.
• Implementing energy-efficient designs and technologies leads to significant long-term savings on utility bills.
• Staying ahead of increasingly stringent environmental regulations and building codes.
• Employees are increasingly drawn to organizations with strong sustainability values.
• Addressing potential environmental liabilities and resource scarcity.
• Embracing sustainable practices can drive innovation in design, materials, and construction methods.
• Playing a proactive role in mitigating climate change and building a more resilient environment.
• Many financial institutions and government bodies offer incentives for sustainable building projects.

Target Audience

1. Architects
2. Engineers (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical)
3. Construction Managers
4. Project Developers
5. Sustainability Consultants
6. Building Owners and Facility Managers
7. Government Officials and Policymakers
8. Academics and Researchers

Course Outline

Module 1: Introduction to Net-Zero and Sustainable Construction

• Understanding the urgency of climate action and the role of the construction sector.
• Defining Net-Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and Net-Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCB).
• Exploring the principles of sustainable development and their application in construction.
• Overview of global and local policies and initiatives promoting green building.
• Case Study: The Bullitt Center, Seattle: A pioneering example of a net-zero energy commercial building.

Module 2: Understanding Carbon Footprint in Construction

• Identifying direct and indirect sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the construction lifecycle.
• Analyzing operational carbon (energy use during building operation) and embodied carbon (emissions from materials and construction processes).
• Introduction to carbon accounting methodologies and reporting frameworks.
• Understanding the impact of material choices and construction methods on carbon footprint.
• Case Study: A comparative analysis of the carbon footprint of different building materials (e.g., concrete vs. timber).

Module 3: Sustainable Material Selection and Embodied Carbon Reduction

• Evaluating the environmental impact of common construction materials.
• Exploring low-carbon and bio-based materials (e.g., mass timber, bamboo, recycled content).
• Strategies for reducing embodied energy and embodied carbon in material production and transportation.
• Understanding environmental product declarations (EPDs) and their role in material selection.
• Case Study: The use of recycled and reclaimed materials in a sustainable housing project.

Module 4: Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficiency

• Principles of solar orientation, natural ventilation, and daylighting.
• Designing for optimal thermal comfort and reducing heating and cooling loads.
• Implementing effective insulation and air sealing techniques.
• Utilizing high-performance windows and shading devices.
• Case Study: A building designed with passive solar heating and natural cooling strategies in a specific climate.

Module 5: Building Energy Modeling and Optimization

• Introduction to building energy simulation software and its applications.
• Modeling energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment.
• Identifying opportunities for energy efficiency improvements through modeling.
• Analyzing the impact of design choices on building energy performance.
• Case Study: Using energy modeling to optimize the design of a low-energy office building.

Module 6: Integrating Renewable Energy Technologies

• Overview of different renewable energy sources suitable for buildings (solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal, wind).
• Principles of photovoltaic (PV) system design and installation.
• Exploring the applications of solar thermal systems for water heating and space heating.
• Understanding the basics of geothermal heat pumps and their efficiency.
• Case Study: The integration of a rooftop solar PV system in a residential building to achieve net-zero energy.

Module 7: Waste Management and Circular Economy in Construction

• Understanding the challenges of construction and demolition waste.
• Implementing strategies for waste reduction, reuse, and recycling on construction sites.
• Exploring the principles of the circular economy in the built environment.
• Designing for deconstruction and material recovery.
• Case Study: A construction project that successfully implemented a comprehensive waste management plan with high recycling rates.

Module 8: Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Accounting

• Conducting a cradle-to-grave life cycle assessment (LCA) for buildings.
• Quantifying the environmental impacts across different stages of the building lifecycle.
• Applying carbon footprint calculation methodologies and tools.
• Understanding the role of green building certifications in assessing environmental performance.
• Case Study: A comparative LCA of two similar buildings constructed with different materials and methods.

Training Methodology

This course will employ a blended learning approach, combining:

• Interactive lectures and presentations by industry experts.
• Practical exercises and calculation workshops.
• Group discussions and knowledge sharing.
• Case study analysis of real-world net-zero construction projects.
• Software demonstrations for building energy modeling and LCA tools.
• Site visits (if feasible) to sustainable building projects.
• Online resources and supplementary materials.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104 

 

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

 We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.