Session 2: Zero Carbon for Busy Professionals
Date: Friday, May 5, 2023
Time: 10:30am

Session description:

Over the next few years, construction industry practitioners will have to deliver Zero Carbon buildings. Inspired by the ‘for dummies’ series, this session will answer questions such as:

  • What is the difference between Zero Carbon, Net Zero Carbon, and Zero Emissions?
  • What is operational vs. embodied carbon?
  • What are the regulatory and policy contexts driving this change?
  • How can buildings remove carbon from the atmosphere?
  • How can buildings be resilient to climate change?

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of the session, you will be able to:

  • Explain the difference between Zero Carbon, Net Zero Carbon, and Zero Emissions standards
  • Compare operational vs. embodied carbon
  • Understand the regulatory and policy contexts driving this change
  • Explain how a building can remove carbon from the atmosphere
  • Describe the key features of a climate change resilient building

Speakers:

Alexandre Hebert – BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre

Alex Hebert is a mechanical engineer in charge of the development and operation of the Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre at BCIT. With a team of more than 20 experts, the ZEB Learning Centre supports the construction industry’s transition to the BC Energy Step Code, City of Vancouver’s Zero Emissions Building bylaws and CleanBC’s strategy by providing a suite of short and practical courses, online and in-person.

Mary McWilliam – BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre

Mary McWilliam is responsible for curriculum development at the BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre, including topics on high-performance mechanicals and zero emissions buildings retrofits. She is also an instructor in the BCIT Energy Management program. Prior to joining BCIT, Mary worked on various large scale building retrofits as a consultant and energy manager, both in BC, Canada, and Asia.

Melissa Hamer – BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre

Melissa Hamer is responsible for curriculum development at the BCIT Zero Energy/Emissions Buildings (ZEB) Learning Centre, including related to the Energy Step Code, Net-Zero and Passive House standards, integrated solar electrical, and embodied carbon. Melissa has a background in learning design and product development, project management, educational technology, and administration in higher-education and trades-based programs including construction and electrical safety.