Embodied carbon: What it is and why industry should address it now
01 Aug 2023
Embodied carbon: What it is and why industry should address it now
01 Aug 2023
About the speaker
- Fernando AriasDirector of Sustainability at Clark Construction GroupFernando Arias is Clark Construction Group’s Director of Sustainability and draws from over 20 years of experience in architecture, operations, and construction to shape the company’s sustainability strategies. In his role, he works with company leadership to shape Clark’s sustainability strategy as the nation’s #2 Green Builder since 2014, which includes a national portfolio of more than 500 LEED and other green building certified projects, totaling nearly 1.2 billion square feet and valued at more than $53.6 billion. He is responsible for overseeing Clark’s climate action plan and national sustainability operations teams, promoting and advising preconstruction teams, and leveraging his department’s technology team to find solutions and innovations that meet a wide range of project goals, including building decarbonization. Fernando is an architect and former military mechanic that became passionate about solving massive global challenges centered around health and the built environment. He has been recognized for his leadership in Advancing Health and Wellness in the Built Environment by the U.S. Green Building Council, and by his government appointment to the U.S. General Services Administration Green Building Advisory Committee and the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Steering Committee.
Key takeaways
Embodied carbon is a major contributor to climate change, needing urgent action and awareness.
Good carbon management plans are essential for the construction industry to reduce emissions and align with global sustainability goals.
Achieving carbon neutrality in construction will require stakeholder cooperation, clear standards, and reduced reliance on carbon offsets.