Driving Innovation in the Big Three: Concrete, Steel & Wood

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM · 1 hr. (US/Eastern)
Summit: Accelerating the Adoption of Low Embodied Carbon Materials

Information

While the design and construction industries race to find innovation from new materials that cut carbon and provide multiple benefits, what about traditional building materials? This session will showcase forward-thinking embodied carbon innovation in the steel, concrete and wood industries. Ranging from direct component reuse, wood sourcing, and the next generation of concrete and steel, attendees will walk away with knowledge in how to push the materials of their next project towards regenerative practices. Panelists will share workflows for implementing next generation practices with the “big three” and reflect on how each industry is pushing the envelope on traditional materials.
Learning Level
Intermediate
Continuing Education Credit
GBCI
GBCI Rating System Specific Credit
BD+CID+CO+MGreen Associate
Program
Summit Session
Pass Type
Conference PassConference Pass + Sustainable Finance & Investing ForumStudent PassSustainable Finance & Investing Forum 4 Day PassVolunteer Pass
Location
Room 406.1/406.2
Track
Summit: Accelerating the Adoption of Low Embodied Carbon Materials
Learning Objective #1
Describe how project teams can get rewarded for pursuing innovation in LEED v5 BD+C and ID+C with steel, wood and concrete, including a pilot credit for innovative low embodied carbon concrete.
Learning Objective #2
Identify strategies to reduce embodied carbon with the big three key structural materials, including a forthcoming LEED v5 BD+C pilot credit for innovative steel materials.
Learning Objective #3
Apply takeaways from key experts on the state of innovations happening in the steel, wood and concrete industries, such as a tribally sourced wood pilot credit in LEED v5 BD+C.
Learning Objective #4
Implement successful, real world strategies on projects with key building materials through an interactive session.