Many countries are moving to reduce carbon production and reducing the energy used by buildings can provide a significant contribution to this goal. Many times, the building envelope is overlooked for more highly visible options, but the building envelope may present the most viable option. A high-performance building envelope provides additional benefits to the HVAC system, building durability and building resilience. Each construction industry has a role to play to meet the intended goal. All parts of the building must work together to achieve this goal. This presentation suggests we have to look at buildings in a different light and identify where and how an industry can support the overall goal of building performance for both new construction and retrofitting existing buildings. Taking a different approach will help you look at the building envelope for opportunities for site carbon reduction which will contribute to the over-reaching goal.

Learning Objectives:
- Show the impact of the building envelope on the global movement to high performance buildings
- Explain why the building envelope needs to be tackled first before mechanical and electrical
- Determine why small improvements are important today
- Indicate the role and responsibility of industry associations
- Gain insight in how creating high performance buildings addresses regional carbon reduction recommendations