What does COP 21 mean for building professionals?

by Katie Daniel | July 14, 2016 1:17 pm

By Jared O. Blum
Much attention has recently been given to the negotiations in France that resulted in the unprecedented Paris Agreement to combat climate change. This agreement, which limits the global average temperature rise to “well below” 2 C (3.6 F) compared to pre-industrial temperatures, will move designers to elevate new and existing building performance in two distinct ways: construction and resilience.

For the first category, governments and the private sector will seek to construct and retrofit buildings capable of mitigating the emission of climate-related gases. For the second category, they will also construct in such a way that the buildings and their infrastructures have the resilience to perform under changing, and in some cases, adverse climactic conditions.

The Paris Agreement
At a macro level, the world’s first universal climate agreement appears abstract. So how exactly does this impact building designers, owners, and users in Canada?

The international response to climate change was launched in 1992, at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, with the signing of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This was followed by the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which set binding targets to reduce emissions 5.2 per cent below 1990 levels by 2012.

In the early years of the climate negotiations, three distinct types of delegates have attended the annual negotiations:

• representatives of industries positioned to sell products and services to the countries agreeing to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, and who were generally very supportive of the process;
• those against a climate deal (e.g. fossil fuel pro-ducers or an amalgam of industry groups); and
• consultants attempting to sell their services to interests on both sides of the issue.

Fast-forward to the 2015 Conference of the Parties (COP) 21 Conference, the attendee pool was decidedly changed. Corporate CEOs roamed the grounds of the Le Bourget airport conference site. These business representatives were not selling their climate-related technology, but rather were participating in a plethora of workshops describing meaningful initiatives companies were taking to reduce energy use and corresponding climate-related gases. These seminars were also promoting the virtues of these business practices. Whether it was North Face, Unilever, Hewlett Packard, Starbucks, or a building products manufacturer, the common denominator for these companies was the support for a comprehensive climate action plan.

Another major change was the designation of ‘Buildings Day.’ This specified date focused on the technologies and practices available to the construction sector. In fact, the role of the building sector in contributing to the achievement of these goals was recognized by virtually all COP 21 attendees, in large part thanks to the Global Alliance on Buildings and Construction. The alliance is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme, 20 countries (representing more than one billion people), 70 leaders from the construction sector, 50 national and international organizations, and professional networks and funders. The countries, representing four continents, include Canada and the United States, along with:

• Austria;
• Brazil;
• France;
• Germany;
• Japan; and
• Morocco.

The alliance’s goals are to:

• bring together all the relevant global players on a large scale around a common ambition and sustain this momentum to ensure they work together over time;
• increase the share of green building in international funding to implement new initiatives and increase the visibility of exemplary initiatives;
• gather a program of operational activities, strategic networks, and partners covering the full range of stakeholders in the building production chain;
• promote initiatives and solutions by all the members signatory to the alliance to make them reproducible and also ensure their appropriation; and
• create a network for public authorities in charge of construction, to align regulations and financing toward low-carbon strategies[1].

Why the focus on buildings?
The building and construction sector is responsible for one-third of global greenhouse (GHG) gas emissions and is exposed to the impact of climate change. Built-up areas worldwide will nearly double by 2050. The economic, health, and social benefits of sustainable buildings are also significant. Buildings provide shelter and serve as places to live, work, learn, and socialize. Providing more than 50 per cent of global wealth, and as one of the largest employers at the local level, the sector also offers a path to poverty alleviation[2].

One of the most cost-effective and economically beneficial paths for reducing energy demand and associated emissions is offered by the buildings sector. There are numerous low-energy and renewable solutions available for new and retrofit construction. Many countries, organizations, and corporations have created policies and technologies supporting change. Thus, this sector is a high priority for action.

In Canada, efforts to reduce energy and emissions will be critical due to the ever-increasing number of commercial buildings. Studies[3] estimate energy usage in commercial and institutional buildings increased by 39 per cent from 1990 to 2008.

During COP 21, the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) announced four new major commitments[4] to help fight the battle against climate change in Canada.

1. Supporting the industry to move toward the wide adoption of net-zero buildings in Canada. This will include the CaGBC working toward bringing a net-zero rating verification to Canada.
2. Launching major action to increase investment in green buildings across Canada.
3. Working with Canada’s federal, provincial, and municipal leaders, as well as government officials to support development and implementation of green building and sustainability policies across Canada.
4. Working with CaGBC members and stakeholders to set and report against ambitious targets and action plans that will contribute to COP 21 goals.

Local Canadian communities are also taking action. Vancouver was the first city in the country to adopt a comprehensive strategy on adaptation. The city is currently working to implement changes, including updating the building code to account for increased frequency and severity of flooding, planting trees to make neighbourhoods more resilient to heat waves, and investing in backup power supplies in case of severe storms. In Halifax Harbour, the Halifax Regional Municipality has raised the minimum ground elevations for buildings in response to the anticipated sea level rise. Additionally, the federal government has assumed responsibilities by relocating Inuit communities whose buildings and lives are affected by declining sea ice.

Takeaways from COP 21
Businesses, architects, designers, and manufacturers operating internationally all play a role in the choice of products in the built environment. For years, the design and building communities have been trying to build more resilient, energy-efficient, and performance-driven buildings. Programs such as CaGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program, the Green Globes systems, or enhancements to the National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB) have been given a stronger voice with COP 21.

Changes to the nature of building design are also resulting from the COP 21. The climate agreement could change the nature of building design, where HVAC and boiler systems are moved to the roof to better protect buildings. In addition, the use of distributed generation power technologies is on the rise and is becoming a more sought after and preferred response to climate change. In fact, following COP 21, the Brazilian government launched a national incentive program for distributed generation, with a special focus on solar photovoltaics (PVs). The Brazilian program covers a spectrum of measures, including tax incentives and creates lines of credit.

Net-zero energy buildings verifications are a proposed new addition to Canada’s building community. Such buildings produce as much energy as they use on an annual basis and, in turn, account for all the energy used. In 2015, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) launched the ‘Path to Net Zero’ project—a four-year study to develop a framework and methodology for regionally sensitive construction recommendations. According to NRCan[5]’s website,

These recommendations are aimed at gradually improving the energy efficiency of homes toward net-zero. The first study was conducted in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), in collaboration with builders who provided real costs and identified unique challenges. The next phases of builder-supported studies were conducted in Nova Scotia and the Eastern and Northern Ontario housing markets.

The rigorous climate conditions that the Canadian construction industry has operated under will help the country innovate and utilize proven technology to enhance the role of buildings during this environmental challenge.

Municipal governments will partner with the private sector to minimize threats to the coastal areas such as storm surge flooding and shoreline erosion, as well as dislocation of lives and livelihood. Given the widespread, disruptive impact-potential of predicted coastal changes that may occur from the Inuit communities to Prince Edward Island (PEI), it is essential to continue the partnership of the Canadian government with these building sectors, which are committed to dealing with mitigation and resilience initiatives.

Primer on polyiso
A paper from the global consulting group McKinsey & Company entitled “Pathways to a Low Carbon Economy” highlights insulation as the product that can provide the greatest return and offer the most carbon abatement. As designers, architects, construction professionals, and building owners look for ways to support the COP 21 agreement, the use of high-quality and effective insulation is one powerful solution.

Insulation is one of the most critical components of a roof, providing much needed thermal performance in today’s energy-conscious world. Polyisocyanurate (polyiso) is a rigid foam board insulation used in roof and wall assemblies within commercial and residential buildings of all types. Its unique benefits, strength, and versatility allow it to adapt to a variety of roofing applications. Polyiso is the only high-thermal foam to meet both the FM 4450, Approval Standard for Class 1 Insulated Steel Deck Roofs and UL 1256, Standard for Fire Test of Roof Deck Constructions, and to have third-party-certified R-values.

Based on consensus standards in both Canada and the United States, long-term thermal resistance (LTTR) is a scientifically supported way to calculate the 15-year, time-weighted average R-value of roof insulation. Most polyiso manufacturers have adopted the LTTR method as the exclusive means to measure thermal performance of permeable-faced polyiso roof insulation.

ASTM C1289, Standard Specification for Faced Rigid Cellular Polyisocyanurate Thermal Insulation Board, is used to predict foam’s R-value equivalent to the average performance of permeably faced foam insulation products over 15 years. The LTTR method provides users, specifiers, and designers several advantages, including:

• a technically supported, more descriptive measure of the LTTR of polyiso insulation—a 15-year, time-weighted average;
• an advanced test method, based on consensus standards in Canada and the United States;
• a method that applies to all foam insulation with blowing agents other than air, such as polyiso, extruded polystyrene (XPS), and polyurethane (spray polyurethane foam [SPF]); and
• a better understanding of the thermal performance of foam.

Polyiso roof insulation LTTR values are further supported by Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association’s (PIMA’s) QualityMark program, which allows participating companies to certify LTTR values through an independent third party.

For wall applications, polyiso foil-faced insulation has the highest R-value per inch—meaning the U-value of the cavity wall system can be achieved with minimum thickness, which decreases the overall footprint of the building and lowers construction costs. In cavity walls, polyiso’s foil face and R-value allows increased air space between inner and outer wythes to more efficiently divert water to the outside and improve long-term thermal performance.

Polyiso sheathing insulation
As many design professionals are aware, choosing energy-efficient insulation can be one of the most effective ways to save energy and money. Typically, polyiso is used to insulate an entire wall, including the framing. Framing usually accounts for at least 20 per cent of the total wall area and is often left uninsulated. By insulating the entire wall, one can effectively reduce heat loss through both convection and conduction. Additionally, by properly insulating a structure with polyiso, condensation in walls can be decreased, which could, in turn, potentially reduce moisture-related problems.

When properly specified and installed, polyiso sheathing insulation offers:

• a wall assembly with a high R-value, which increases the energy efficiency and significantly reduces heat loss;
• a reduction in air infiltration and exfiltration, which increases the overall performance of the wall and reduces heat loss;
• a reduction in the risk of water condensation/intrusion, which increases thermal and structural performance and reduces builder call backs;
• insulation over the entire framing members, which reduces the overall energy loss;
• increased confidence the builder is providing a quality product; and
• more confidence with state-of-the-art, energy-efficient techniques.

Conclusion
COP 21 has resulted in an unprecedented operating commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions for the 196 countries that attended. One should expect to see building designers and scientists re-evaluating how existing buildings perform. The shift in attitude of the business community towards this effort is one of the reasons the conference was a success and will result in real change moving forward.

Jared O. Blum is the president of the Polyisocyanurate Insulation Manufacturers Association (PIMA), the North American trade association representing manufacturers of polyiso foam insulation. He was a civil society delegate at the (COP)21 meetings in Paris. He can be reached at joblum@pima.org[6].

Source URL: https://www.constructioncanada.net/what-does-cop-21-mean-for-building-professionals/

---