This virtual, hour-long education session provides a practical introduction to decarbonizing existing buildings, covering the urgency of climate action, key sustainability concepts, and the business case for emissions reduction. Participants will gain a clear understanding of operational vs. embodied carbon, carbon neutrality vs. net zero, and how certifications like Green Globes, LEED v5, and WELL support carbon reduction and wellness goals. The session will also introduce a structured five-step framework to help teams assess, plan, implement, and manage decarbonization strategies in alignment with evolving regulations and industry best practices.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the environmental, financial, and regulatory drivers for decarbonizing the built environment.
• Differentiate between key sustainability concepts, including embodied vs. operational carbon and carbon neutrality vs. net zero.
• Assess the role of green building certifications in driving carbon reduction and occupant wellness goals.
• Apply the 5M Decarbonization Framework to systematically develop and manage low-carbon strategies for existing buildings.

Speakers:

• Satish Ravindran, P.E., LEED AP, CBCP, PMP, CEM, GRI, Fitwel Ambassador Senior Project Manager, Energy, UL Solutions
• Sumayyah Theron, E.I.T., ASHRAE CDP, GGP, GGA, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, Founder – Avant-garde Sustainable Solutions