Paths to Net Zero: Insights for Sustainable AEC

The four-part webinar series brought together professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) to explore actionable strategies, innovative solutions, and emerging trends for driving meaningful change in sustainability practices. 

Decarbonizing AEC: Key Challenges and Strategic Solutions 

1. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) as a Foundation for Sustainable Design

Reducing embodied carbon begins with understanding the full impact of material choices. Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) provides a framework for compliance and deeper sustainability insights. Experts in the series highlighted its growing importance in aligning design decisions with measurable, sustainable goals. 

“LCA isn’t just for compliance—it offers a genuine understanding of design choices’ environmental impact,” says Luc Wing, Innovation Performance Lead, Symetri.

 “It is absolutely impossible to achieve sustainability goals from an architectural side without the whole supply chain involved. It just can't happen without collaboration basically,” remarked Liam Bright, Designer Engineer/Architect at tp bennett, during the webinar. His perspective reinforces the essential role of collaboration across stakeholders, from architects to suppliers, in achieving meaningful decarbonization. 

2. The Financial Imperative: Carbon Calculation and ROI

The economic drivers behind sustainability are increasingly clear. Client demand and compliance have transformed sustainability into a financial imperative. Solutions that quantify both carbon impact and cost efficiency are helping firms achieve ROI alongside environmental benefits.

Poll Insight: ROI and client expectations were identified as primary motivators, showcasing the dual importance of environmental and economic benefits. 

3. Integrating Digital Delivery (IDD): Sustainable Workflows for Decarbonization

Combining Building Information Modelling (BIM) with Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) workflows enables efficiency and sustainability through four interconnected phases: 

• Motivation Phase: Establishes decision-making frameworks, outlines sustainability goals, and embeds environmental considerations into design workflows. 

• Exploration Phase: Leverages BIM workflows to assess sustainability impacts, offering actionable insights during early design stages. 

• Integration Phase: Aligns Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) and Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) within workflows, embedding sustainability into material and design choices. 

• Evaluation Phase: Assesses environmental impacts, compares results, and identifies optimal solutions to minimize carbon footprints. 

This structured approach supports long-term decarbonization goals by embedding sustainability into every project phase. Symetri’s Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) consulting approach enhances these workflows by enabling collaboration, reducing waste, and driving measurable impact. 

Strategic Vision: “IDD is transformative for AEC because it embeds sustainability into each phase of the project,” explains Shivani Soni, Global Head of Impact & Innovation, Symetri. “It bridges gaps between teams, ensuring sustainable goals are measurable and collaborative.” 

Case Study: CPAC Module's Approach to Decarbonization 

Overview: CPAC Modular sought to validate the environmental benefits of modular construction methods compared to traditional approaches. 

Challenges: 

• Establishing clear, data-driven comparisons of Global Warming Potential (GWP) for modular versus traditional construction. 

• Implementing scalable processes to measure and validate carbon impacts across all phases of construction. 

Outcomes: The results demonstrated significant carbon reductions through modular construction: 

• Structural Efficiency: Achieved a 74% reduction in carbon emissions for structural assemblies. 

• Foundation Innovation: Reduced foundation-related GWP by 83%, equivalent to removing 1,227 cars from the road annually. 

• Scalable Impact: Demonstrated that modular construction can significantly lower carbon footprints while maintaining efficiency and scalability.  

This case study highlights modular construction’s potential to lead decarbonization efforts, setting a benchmark for environmentally conscious design. 

Industry Insights: Trends and Priorities 

Live polls conducted during the webinar series revealed AEC professionals’ key priorities and challenges in achieving sustainability: 

• Drivers for Sustainability: Clients and customers (27%) and partnerships with like-minded companies (24%) were top motivators, reflecting the growing importance of collaboration. 

• Effective Decarbonization Strategies: Sustainable materials (42%) and energy efficiency (26%) were prioritized, addressing embodied and operational carbon. 

• Challenges in Achieving Net Zero: High initial costs (32%) and lack of client demand (29%) emerged as significant barriers, emphasizing the need for solutions that deliver financial and environmental value. 

• Barriers to Advanced LCA Technologies: Accurate LCA data (44%) and training gaps (37%) underscored the need for user-friendly, accessible solutions. 

• Priorities When Choosing LCA Tools: Integration with existing design software (35%) and speed/efficiency (30%) were key, showcasing a demand for tools that align with workflows.  

These insights reflect a complex landscape where AEC professionals must balance client expectations, compliance, and cost pressures. Symetri remains committed to addressing these challenges through innovative solutions that integrate seamlessly into design processes. 

Looking Ahead: Building a Sustainable Future 

The Paths to Net Zero series revealed that achieving net-zero goals requires industry collaboration, strategic integration of workflows, and robust data-driven solutions. As sustainability evolves into an operational imperative, Symetri is dedicated to equipping AEC professionals with the insights and strategies needed to drive this transformation. 

Commitment to Progress: “We believe sustainability is a currency for the future,” says Soni. “By fostering collaboration and innovation, we aim to make decarbonization accessible and actionable for all stakeholders.” 

Join the Conversation on Net Zero 

The journey to net zero demands collective action. Explore Symetri's insights and solutions to learn how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into your projects:  https://info.symetri.com/symetris-decarbonisation-solutions.

Together, we can move the needle.