OPAL Architecture’s Post

In the realm of infrastructure projects, the traditional reliance on annual reporting cycles, as seen in current regulations like the CSRD, often fails to keep pace with the fast-evolving nature of our work. Carbon emissions, especially embodied carbon, demand real-time assessment throughout the project lifecycle to truly make an impact. By integrating continuous and iterative carbon accounting into our processes—much like we do with cost accounting—we can ensure that carbon assessments evolve alongside our projects, from conception through to construction. This approach not only yields more accurate data but also empowers teams to make informed decisions that reduce emissions before they become locked in by material choices and construction methods. Creating standardized methodologies for carbon assessments is crucial. Harmonizing calculation methods during design and construction phases allows for effective comparison and benchmarking of best practices in carbon reduction. However, we must also acknowledge the realities of carbon accounting: design phase estimates should be seen as provisional, evolving into precise as-built data that accurately reflects a project's embodied carbon footprint for reporting. If you're interested in exploring how continuous carbon accounting can enhance your project outcomes, feel free to reach out! Let's work together towards a more sustainable future. #CarbonManagement #LCA #lowCarbonInfrastructure

It's 1 July, which means it is exactly six months until the expected commencement of the new Climate Related Financial Disclosures regime. The regime will roll out over a three year period, requiring large and medium sized companies to disclose information to the market and regulator about their direct and indirect emissions, the risks and opportunities those emissions pose to the company, and the company's strategy to address them. Here's an article I've published with Valentina Hanna and Laurya Dang-Nguyen which focuses on the potential impact on the construction industry. The Bill is currently before the Senate and looks likely to pass soon.

Making environmental reviews less of a burden for companies goes a long way toward ensuring that the projects the U.S. needs can get built in time to make a difference in the energy transition. These regulatory actions are one way to smooth the path for decarbonization and should accelerate timelines for accessing the federal funding companies need for innovative new energy and manufacturing projects. #climateaction #climatefinance #energytransition #decarbonization

Carbon in construction can be tricky to navigate and understand. Get In touch with Mel from Future proof projects to make the process easier.

The recent updates to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) through the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) Bipartisan Permitting Reform Implementation Rule should accelerate the environmental review process, providing benefits to companies applying for financing through the Department of Energy's Loan Programs Office (LPO).  These revisions are crucial for advancing large-scale energy and infrastructure projects that are pivotal for sustainable development since NEPA reviews are a requirement for applying for an LPO loan.  Read more here: https://hubs.la/Q02vLmJK0 And contact us to learn how Energy Transition Finance can help navigate the non-dilutive financing opportunities for companies engaged in the energy transition. https://hubs.la/Q02vLjqn0

“Recognizing that a significant portion of a company's #environmental impact originates from its real estate, equipment and vehicles, businesses should prioritize their lease portfolio to source required climate-related #data. However, gathering leases and related records is no easy feat — a tough lesson learned by many companies when adopting the new #leaseaccounting standards.” – Bill Harter, MBA shares the important role that lease portfolio management plays in #sustainability reporting. Read more in Accounting Today. ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ezdgdA8n

New blogpost: The second in my series about current issues in carbon appraisal. This one looks at how we can deal with consistency, comparisons, and the 'moving target' of what good practice looks like. https://lnkd.in/eyMwdXeS

The annual carbon emission of steel industry is 1.8 billion tons, accounting for about 15% of the total carbon emission in China, and it is the largest carbon emission industry in manufacturing industry. Bringing the steel industry into the national carbon market can force steel enterprises to save energy, reduce carbon and transform into low carbon. As early as 2021, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment said that the steel industry will be included in the carbon emission trading market as soon as possible during the 14 th Five-Year Plan period. In June last year, the first and second working meetings of the special study on the integration of steel industry into the national carbon market were held, and it was proposed to determine the main working procedures, allocation baseline and carbon emission accounting method of steel enterprises as soon as possible, and complete the preliminary plan for the integration of steel industry into the national carbon market. At present, how is the preparation for the steel industry to enter the national carbon market completed? Xie Shize, deputy director of the Climate Change Department of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, said at the conference: "We are organizing carbon emission accounting guidelines and verification guidelines for the steel industry, including various technical preparations for quota allocation. It has been less than a year, and all documents are basically ready. Overall, the steel industry is indeed under great pressure to enter the carbon market. In particular, the process flow is particularly complicated, and the energy flow and heat flow between processes cross each other. How to accurately calculate the carbon emissions of each facility is indeed a big test. "

In this article BOSS Controls is emphasizing the strategic use of Carbon Tax Credits to facilitate energy efficiency and net-zero retrofits for older building assets. This approach incorporates transformational technologies designed to enhance sustainability and reduce carbon footprints. By leveraging these tax credits, BOSS Controls aims to make it financially viable for building owners to invest in advanced solutions that drive significant energy savings and contribute to broader environmental goals. #BOSSControls #CarbonTaxCredits #EnergyNetZeroRetrofits #SustainabilityTechnologies

📈 Best-in-class carbon and cost-estimating solutions To manage carbon, an integrated estimating solution that balances economic and social objectives with net-zero targets across the project life cycle is required. Here's what best practice looks like: 1️⃣ Best practice carbon estimating processes 2️⃣ Bespoke data structures and carbon libraries 3️⃣ Standardise & mitigate existing historical estimating data  4️⃣ Compliance with industry standards (PAS 2080, RICS WLCA, ICMS 3rd Edition) At Benchmark Estimating, we specialise in providing these critical foundations and more. Our integrated solutions are designed to help you optimise cost and carbon management to meet your sustainability goals efficiently. 🔗 Follow this link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gz_UWJ-D #CarbonManagement #CostEstimating #NetZero #Sustainability #BenchmarkEstimating