ASLA has made significant strides in its effort to reduce embodied carbon in landscape architecture projects.

To shape programs and standards on embodied carbon, ASLA has submitted public comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).

In these comments, ASLA and its Biodiversity and Climate Action Committee (BCAC) advocated for standardized reporting and evaluation of embodied carbon emissions in construction materials and products. This work helps advance the ASLA Climate Action Plan goal -- all landscape architecture projects will achieve zero emissions and double sequestration by 2040.

ASLA recognizes Chris Hardy, ASLA, senior associate, Sasaki, founder, Carbon Conscience, and co-chair, ASLA BCAC Subcommittee on Carbon Drawdown and Biodiversity; and Pamela Conrad, ASLA, founder, Climate Positive Design, for their expertise in crafting the letters.

ASLA and its BCAC works to ensure the voice of landscape architects is heard in discussions on new embodied carbon programs and standards, which are crucial to reducing emissions from the built environment.  

EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials

ASLA submitted a letter of support for the EPA Label Program for Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials, and its objective of enabling consumers and specifiers to understand the environmental impacts of products and materials.

The letter emphasizes ASLA's unique perspective in the construction industry and its involvement in initiatives like the Embodied Carbon Harmonization and Optimization (ECHO) Project, a coalition of built environment industry groups.

ASLA underscores the importance of ensuring compatibility with existing tools, like the Climate Positive Design's Pathfinder and Carbon Conscience, and workflows that facilitate seamless integration of labeling programs.

ASLA also highlighted the importance of including living materials and biogenic materials in the EPA program.

BSR/ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240P – Quantification of Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Buildings

In the second letter, ASLA commends the development of Standard 240P, a draft carbon emissions evaluation standard aiming to quantify embodied and operational greenhouse gas emissions associated with buildings and their sites.

Emissions from the exterior built environment are now under-represented. ASLA emphasizes the need to include sites and infrastructure in the standard.

We also highlight the need for alignment in quantification methodologies and suggest incorporating active biogenic sequestration and bio-based materials to maximize environmental benefits.