In the construction industry, the carbon footprint—particularly that of buildings—is a key factor in tackling climate change and meeting local authorities’ requirements. Life Cycle Assessment, a powerful tool for analysing the environmental impact of developments, makes it good practice to prepare Scopes for Carbon Reduction in buildings.
Material Selection is a crucial process that, through comparative studies, enables the preference for low-carbon materials and products. Regular guest host Simon Matthews, UKGBC quizzes Mirko Farnetani about this specific aspect, and highlight the importance of environmental credentials and additional factors in preparing comprehensive building assessments and Embodied Carbon Reduction Strategies.
Mirko has eighteen years of experience in the construction industry as a sustainability specialist and fully-qualified architect working for SOM, the BRE and Hilson Moran. Westminster City Council appointed him to their Design Review Panel (Specialism: Embodied carbon, circular economy and regenerative design). He is part of the LETI Steering Group and was also the lead author of the 2020 LETI publication, Embodied Carbon Primer as well as Climate Emergency Design Guide, Chapter 2 - Embodied Carbon. He is a guest lecturer at the University of Bath in Life Cycle Assessment, Embodied Carbon plus Responsible Sourcing; at the Atlantic Technological University in Circular Economy; at the Royal College of Art in Material Supply Chains (Circular Economy). Mirko was involved as reviewer and technical engagement for the NHS Net Zero Building Standard, published in February 2023. He is also the co-author of 'Case Study 2, Whole Life Carbon – Curtain Walling' in the 2017 book, Targeting Zero: Embodied and Whole Life Carbon Explained, published by RIBA Publishing.
General Info
Organiser