Reducing the Carbon Impact of Building Enclosure Assemblies in Toronto
The 2023 Emissions Gap Report by the UN Environment Programme paints a dire picture of the current climate crisis.
Global efforts are falling significantly short of meeting the Paris Agreement’s climate objectives, as indicated by soaring greenhouse gas emissions and record-breaking temperatures. This alarming situation underscores the imperative for decisive, immediate action.
A pivotal contributor to this escalating crisis is the construction sector. According to the UNEP, 37% of global carbon emissions are attributed to the construction and operation of buildings, highlighting the sector’s significant impact on the environment. This issue transcends global boundaries, becoming a local emergency in cities like Toronto, where a staggering 56% of carbon emissions originate from the built environment.
This document introduces a novel framework to revolutionize building enclosure designs, pivotal in reducing the construction sector’s carbon footprint. It integrates operational and embodied emissions, durability, and circularity, charting a path towards sustainable, low carbon practices in line with global climate goals. The mission is to catalyze a shift in the building industry, transforming how we conceive, construct, and manage our built environment for a sustainable future.
