CI-v5 MRc2: Reduce Embodied Carbon 1-4 points
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce the embodied carbon impacts of materials used in commercial interiors projects.
Requirements
Platinum Requirements:
10% reduction in embodied carbon.
Option 1. Reduce Embodied Carbon of New Materials (1–4 points)
Points are awarded according to Table 1. Industry averages for material categories are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most recent Carbon Leadership Forum Material Baselines report, or similarly robust and widely recognized publications and industry-wide environmental product disclosures applicable to the project region.
Projects must track the global warming potential (GWP)/unit of the materials installed and reconcile the design-phase embodied carbon intensities if materials or GWP values have changed. The reconciliation of material quantities is not necessary unless quantities have changed more than 10% from design through construction.
Projects must use project-specific material quantities and identify product-specific or facility-specific Type III EPDs for covered materials to demonstrate reductions. Biogenic carbon may only be included for calculations that include C-stage emissions.
Table 1. Points Awarded for Embodied Carbon Assessment and Reduction
| Points |
Meet baseline or industry average | 1 |
10% reduction | 2 |
20% reduction | 3 |
30% reduction | 4 |
AND/OR
Option 2. Interiors Life-Cycle Assessment (1–4 points)
For tenant improvements and renovation projects, conduct a cradle-to-grave (modules A–C, excluding operating energy and operating water-related energy) life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the project’s entire scope of work, including structure and enclosure (if any); ceiling; wall; flooring; and interior partition assemblies, including acoustic insulation, metal framing, finishes, coatings, and furniture. LCA data sets must be compliant with ISO 14044. Biogenic carbon may only be included for calculations that include C-stage emissions. Include results for the following impact categories in the interiors LCA report:
- GWP (greenhouse gases), in kg CO2e
- Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, in kg CFC-11e
- Acidification of land and water sources, in moles H+ or kg SO2e
- Eutrophication, in kg nitrogen e or kg phosphate e
- Formation of tropospheric ozone, in kg NOx, kg O3 e, or kg ethene
- Depletion of nonrenewable energy resources, in millijoules using CML/depletion of fossil fuels in TRACI
Compare results to a baseline developed for the project and earn points according to Table 2.
Table 2. Points Awarded for Interiors LCA
Pathway | Threshold | Points |
Path 1 | Conduct an LCA of the project’s complete interior design and compare against a baseline interiors project. | 1 |
Path 2 | Meet the requirements of Path 1 and demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in GWP compared with the interiors project baseline | 2 |
Path 3 | Meet the requirements of Path 1 and demonstrate reductions compared with the interiors project baseline of at least 20% for GWP and demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in two additional targeted impact categories | 4 |
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Intent
To reduce the embodied carbon impacts of materials used in commercial interiors projects.
Requirements
Platinum Requirements:
10% reduction in embodied carbon.
Option 1. Reduce Embodied Carbon of New Materials (1–4 points)
Points are awarded according to Table 1. Industry averages for material categories are defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the most recent Carbon Leadership Forum Material Baselines report, or similarly robust and widely recognized publications and industry-wide environmental product disclosures applicable to the project region.
Projects must track the global warming potential (GWP)/unit of the materials installed and reconcile the design-phase embodied carbon intensities if materials or GWP values have changed. The reconciliation of material quantities is not necessary unless quantities have changed more than 10% from design through construction.
Projects must use project-specific material quantities and identify product-specific or facility-specific Type III EPDs for covered materials to demonstrate reductions. Biogenic carbon may only be included for calculations that include C-stage emissions.
Table 1. Points Awarded for Embodied Carbon Assessment and Reduction
| Points |
Meet baseline or industry average | 1 |
10% reduction | 2 |
20% reduction | 3 |
30% reduction | 4 |
AND/OR
Option 2. Interiors Life-Cycle Assessment (1–4 points)
For tenant improvements and renovation projects, conduct a cradle-to-grave (modules A–C, excluding operating energy and operating water-related energy) life-cycle assessment (LCA) of the project’s entire scope of work, including structure and enclosure (if any); ceiling; wall; flooring; and interior partition assemblies, including acoustic insulation, metal framing, finishes, coatings, and furniture. LCA data sets must be compliant with ISO 14044. Biogenic carbon may only be included for calculations that include C-stage emissions. Include results for the following impact categories in the interiors LCA report:
- GWP (greenhouse gases), in kg CO2e
- Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, in kg CFC-11e
- Acidification of land and water sources, in moles H+ or kg SO2e
- Eutrophication, in kg nitrogen e or kg phosphate e
- Formation of tropospheric ozone, in kg NOx, kg O3 e, or kg ethene
- Depletion of nonrenewable energy resources, in millijoules using CML/depletion of fossil fuels in TRACI
Compare results to a baseline developed for the project and earn points according to Table 2.
Table 2. Points Awarded for Interiors LCA
Pathway | Threshold | Points |
Path 1 | Conduct an LCA of the project’s complete interior design and compare against a baseline interiors project. | 1 |
Path 2 | Meet the requirements of Path 1 and demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in GWP compared with the interiors project baseline | 2 |
Path 3 | Meet the requirements of Path 1 and demonstrate reductions compared with the interiors project baseline of at least 20% for GWP and demonstrate at least a 10% reduction in two additional targeted impact categories | 4 |
See all forum discussions about this credit »