Steel's New Design Load: Managing Embodied Carbon in Modern Construction

Low-carbon design is becoming an increasingly important consideration in Canadian construction projects as embodied carbon requirements move from sustainability initiatives into procurement and project delivery frameworks. Structural engineers are now expected to consider not only strength, serviceability, and constructability, but also the carbon impacts associated with material selection, fabrication methods, and procurement decisions. As public and private sector clients place greater emphasis on emissions reporting and reduction targets, embodied carbon is becoming a key project performance metric.

This webinar examines practical approaches to designing and specifying low-carbon steel structures in Canada. Participants will explore how embodied carbon can be assessed using Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), how material-efficient design strategies can reduce emissions without compromising performance, and how procurement and specification decisions influence project outcomes. The session also considers emerging low-carbon steel supply options, reuse opportunities, and lifecycle assessment approaches, providing a practical framework for integrating embodied carbon considerations into everyday structural engineering practice.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Embodied carbon in structural steel projects
• Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and carbon reporting
• Material-efficient design and structural optimisation
• Steel procurement and embodied carbon considerations
• Electric arc furnace steel and recycled-content materials
• Emerging low-emission steel production methods
• Design for reuse and deconstruction
• Whole-building lifecycle assessment principles
• Carbon reduction through specification development
• Balancing sustainability, constructability, and performance
• Documentation and compliance requirements
• Practical applications in buildings and infrastructure projects