In response to the climate emergency, the goal of "Net Zero Carbon" by 2050 is becoming embedded into regulations and building practises. Standards such as EN15804 and EN15978 provide guidelines on how to calculate the environmental footprint of construction materials and entire buildings, and increasingly underpin product and building certification. Current and future regulatory requirements will necessitate familiarisation with these standards and the life cycle assessment methodology upon which they are based, as well as an understanding of the basic science behind climate change and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission accounting. Aims and objectives: Provide students with an understanding of the basic science behind climate change, along with international accounting practises for the main sources of GHG emissions; train students in simple application of life cycle assessment (LCA) to calculate the environmental burdens of products and buildings, including the use of specialist software, and orient them to important data sources; provide insight into the requirements of key international standards, including EN15804 and EN15978; develop critical analytical skills to determine effective engineering-based decarbonisation strategies, considering life cycle effects across major emission sources.

Introduction to the impacts of climate change and the science behind it, including major GHG emission sources, and the "Net Zero carbon" concept. Overview of international (IPCC) guidelines for GHG accounting at national sectoral level. Exploration of the role of engineers in reducing emissions, via low-carbon infrastructure and construction practises. Application of LCA methodological framework (ISO14040 & ISO14044) to calculate example environmental footprints for particular materials and buildings, with reference to construction specific LCA standards EN15804 & EN15978. Evaluation of emissions from building use (heating, cooling, etc), deconstruction and product substitution (via recycling) along extended value chains. Review of LCA databases and use of commercial software to calculate the environmental impact of a case study building, proposing design changes to reduce lifecycle emissions (assessed as team presentation and individual reports). Tutorials throughout the module will generate discussion around the materials, design & infrastructure for effective engineering-based solutions towards Net Zero Carbon.

1. Describe the impacts of climate change; 2. Quantify the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the built environment; 3. Calculate life cycle GHG emissions and other environmental burdens for key construction materials, in accordance with relevant standards such as EN15804; 4. Through interpretation of building life cycle assessment results, propose actions to mitigate the environmental impact of buildings; 5. Critically evaluate the role of different materials and construction practises to meet circular economy and Net Zero carbon objectives; 6. Propose engineering solutions to effectively contribute towards Net Zero Carbon; 7. Apply life cycle assessment models to quantify GHG emissions (savings) arising from construction activities and mitigation strategies

8. Demonstrate an appreciation of the critical role for engineers in tackling climate change 9. Discuss the pros and cons of different construction practises in context of effective strategies towards net zero carbon 10. Display a professional commitment to developing engineering solutions to climate change

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The module will be taught in the context of urgent policy and industry targets to achieve "Net Zero Carbon" emissions, following international signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015. Through lectures, tutorials and hands-on engagement with the latest carbon-accounting software, students will develop a sound knowledge of the theory and practise of carbon accounting. They will identify opportunities for responsible and pro-active engagement with carbon accounting software within engineering design and specification activities in order to identify solutions to the climate emergency. Tutorials will be based upon cutting-edge papers in the field of life cycle assessment of construction projects, and the module leader will introduce students to aspects of his research on pathways towards Net Zero Carbon. During the second half of the module, students will work collaboratively in teams to create solutions for reducing life cycle emissions from a case study building. They will articulate their solution to the rest of the class in team-based presentations at the end of the module - having an opportunity to demonstrate critical analytical skills in individually-submitted reports.