An Introduction to Climate Change and Carbon Reduction in the Built Environment

Explore low carbon design in the built environment

The built environment currently contributes around 40% of annual CO2 emissions globally. Therefore, improving the sustainability of the built environment is imperative if we are to stay within a 1.5 degree world.

On this four-week course, you’ll be introduced to climate change and low carbon design in the built environment, and the different approaches to reduce carbon in buildings globally.

By the end, you’ll feel equipped to advocate for low carbon building design and delivery, and be able to apply your knowledge to your work, community, or home.

Unpack climate resilience and risks

You’ll start by exploring why carbon and other greenhouse gases play a central role in climate change, and how the built environment either exacerbates or mitigates this issue.

Next, you’ll delve into the key concepts relating to carbon and climate change such as net zero carbon buildings, energy performance, climate risks, and resilience.

Delve into sustainable buildings

You’ll unpack a variety of case studies investigating low carbon buildings. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be able to implement best practices in your own work.

Next, you’ll receive guidance on how you can take action by investigating the unique role you play in reducing carbon in the built environment.

Learn from the experts at UK Green Building Council

Throughout the course, you’ll be guided by the experts at the UK Green Building Council. By the end, you’ll have the understanding of the key challenges to achieving sustainable buildings and net zero.

With this knowledge, you’ll be empowered to continue your learning journey as part of your new-found green building community.

This course is designed for anyone interested in a low carbon future and how the built environment might contribute to this.

You may be working in the built environment, have existing knowledge on climate change, or you’re simply interested in growing your knowledge in this field.

• Context
• Welcome to the course!
• The climate and carbon crisis
• Climate agreements and initiatives
• Climate leadership and business action
• Get inspired
• End of week wrap-up
• Concepts
• Welcome to week 2: concepts
• Net zero carbon buildings
• Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions
• Energy performance
• Climate risks and resilience
• Interaction with other sustainability concepts
• End of week wrap-up
• Cases
• Welcome to Week 3: cases
• Case study review
• Create your own case study
• End of week wrap-up
• Change
• Your final week!
• Making a change
• Your influence
• This is not the end!