Building decarbonization is a process that aims to reduce human-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings throughout their life cycle, including design, construction, operation, occupancy, and end of life. Primary sources of GHG emissions include construction, energy use, methane, and refrigerants.

Climate change is the challenge of our lifetimes. We risk leaving our children in a world that severely tests humanity’s ability to flourish if we fail to act soon. Its central assumption is that addressing our global warming challenge will require substantial innovation across a wide range of industrial sectors, which promises to disrupt existing technologies and business models and usher in cleaner industries that do not emit greenhouse gases.

A building life-cycle assessment considers operational and embodied emissions, with carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) as the standard metric for quantifying GHGs.

However, to combat the effects of climate change and austerity, continuous efforts to reduce GHG emissions through legal and technical methods are required. Governments should also synchronize laws, standards, and tools to protect the environment against public nuisances and private interference. The construction industry has played a significant role in increasing GHG emissions.

The ASHRAE Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification aims to equip professionals with knowledge and skills to contribute to building decarbonization goals, focusing on principles and techniques for reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout buildings.

The mission of ASHRAE, an international organization, is to advance the arts and sciences of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration for a sustainable world. The Certified Decarbonization Professional (CDP) certification program validates job competency in internationally recognized technical information.

CDP Certification Purpose

• Validates decarbonization professionals’ competence.
• Assesses, analyzes, and develops sustainable strategies.
• The goal is to either reduce or eliminate the life-cycle carbon footprint of buildings.

Corporates should adopt carbon-reducing measures immediately to address environmental issues. Conducting a carbon audit is crucial for identifying carbon emissions sources and quantifying environmental impact. Energy consumption is a significant contributor to carbon emissions, so incorporating energy-conservation practices can help minimize carbon footprints.

Krishnaji Pawar, an accomplished sustainability specialist with expertise in smart city development, sustainable design strategy development, environmental impact assessment, green building certification (LEED, GSAS, etc.), energy usage modeling, greenhouse gas accounting, and emissions management, developed the Certified Decarbonization Professional – CDP Exam Refresher Course.