On November 13, 2020 The Climate Heritage Network (CHN), in the fight against climate change, is presenting a webinar geared towards accelerating the development of data, tools and the optimal communication for making the building reuse case more accepted as a key need globally. MTBA’s Mark Thompson Brandt, as a founding Co-Chair of the ZNCC Zero Net Carbon Collaboration for Existing & Historic Buildings and member of CHN’s Working Group 3 (WG3) will moderate this session, featuring three specialized sub-groups.

The webinar is part of Culture x Climate 2020, a global forum of Arts, Culture and Heritage-based Climate Action presented from mid-October to the end of November 2020.  The forum is anchored by Climate Heritage Week which will run from November 16-22.  To learn more, visit the Culture x Climate 2020 web page!

We know that reusing buildings is a powerful climate action because of the opportunities to avoid both embodied and operational carbon emissions; we know that the optimal time to provide a decarbonizing retrofit/rehabilitation for old buildings is when they are at a lifecycle age for regeneration. However, we do not have widespread comprehension and action on best practices and policies for maximizing the climate action potential of the existing built environment, nor does the average person understand its importance. To resolve this, a better case for building reuse is needed. We must generate both data and tools to help calculate and design for optimal building decarbonization and communicate these facts effectively.

Led by 3 distinguished speakers, this workshop will push this discussion further and highlight the work that’s been started and, as well as the path forward – informing the work of the next year and leading to COP 26 in Glasgow. The three key subgroups include Data, Tools and Communication:

DATA: “The Data Challenge: What We Have and What We Need”

Lori Ferriss will present why there is a dire need for Data in this field. She will explain existing resources, identify the gaps in current data and describe how we are approaching this challenge.

TOOLS: “Challenges and Ideals in Decarbonization Tools for the Built Environment”

Michael Netter will present why there is a need for advancing more Tools to assist developments in the Building Reuse field, how we are approaching this challenge and our plan for the next year and beyond.

COMMUNICATION:  “Planning & Executing Effective Communication in Building Reuse and Retrofit”

Stephanie Phillips will present how a curated Communications program for this Building Reuse Data & Tools Development could help to mobilize the public, the ACH sector, industry and the buildings sector to greater action in building decarbonization, a significant weapon in the fight against climate change.

WG3 web page is now up and a great place to learn more about the Climate Heritage Network and Working Group 3.  You can access this HERE.

You can register for this workshop HERE.

The Climate Heritage Network is a voluntary, mutual support network of arts, culture and heritage organizations committed to aiding their communities in tackling climate change and achieving the ambitions of the Paris Agreement. To learn more please go HERE.