DBR is a multi-service consulting firm that provides mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and technology design. In addition to design services, DBR provides sustainability consulting and building commissioning services. As a leader in MEP design, we support the vision for a future of net zero energy and carbon emissions in the built environment. Having been a part of the sustainable design movement in Texas, reaching many milestones such as the first LEED certified public school in Texas, it is natural for us to participate in the leadership of reduction of carbon emissions in the operation of buildings and embodied carbon in the materials and equipment we specify.
We will establish a company plan to reduce operational and embodied carbon across MEP systems on all projects, targeting zero net carbon by 2040. Our plan will include methods to measure and report our progress against that plan, annually.
We will specify low Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, if available, when designing systems to reduce or eliminate Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from refrigerants.
We will include in our specifications that Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) be included in product information for all equipment submittals.
We will participate in a quarterly MEP 2040 Forum and a Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Community discussion group to share lessons learned and contribute to a growing body of knowledge.
Our firm’s carbon reduction plan will evolve over time as we gain experience through evaluation of the operational carbon footprint of our designs. Our plan will also evolve as we gain, as an industry, more information on the embodied carbon in the equipment we specify.
Our Director of Sustainability, Saheed Imoru will be our firm’s MEP 2040 champion. Saheed heads our efforts to evaluate our designs through leading the energy modeling group. In addition to our firm champion, DBR’s multi-discipline, firmwide Sustainability Subcommittee will be an ongoing source for research and action items to address the carbon reduction plan.
Saheed Imoru LEED AP BD+C Director of Sustainability
We pledge to provide training opportunities for all our staff in an effort to develop engineers, designers, construction administrators and support staff that are knowledgeable about the goals of net zero carbon emissions and how to achieve those goals. This knowledge involves a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical skills and real-world applications. Listed below are the steps we plan to implement:
1. We conduct monthly department meetings for each discipline (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Technology and Construction Administration) to discuss lessons learned, new procedures, drawing standards, etc. For each of these department meetings we will establish a carbon reduction agenda item to make our staff aware of our goals and educate them to incorporate carbon reduction into their design.
2. Our firm has a training program called “DBR University” with regularly scheduled training sessions. These training sessions will include carbon reduction education/training. These sessions will incorporate mechanical design, electrical design and building operations.
3. We will train our project managers so they can engage our clients and building owners to educate them in net zero carbon strategies.
4. We will Participate in MEP 2040 forums and working groups to collaborate with our peers in the industry to share knowledge and learn.
5. We will add a net zero carbon presentation to our continuing education programs that are offered to our architectural clients and building owners.
The purpose of setting goals is to create a way to measure the progress of a process. Without goals there is not a way to judge our performance. Our goals set forth in this plan are as follows:
1. Make net zero carbon a routine part of the discussion in our project kick off meetings.
2. Establish a carbon emissions rating for each project that we can incorporate into our existing energy usage modeling program.
3. Educate our project managers and empower them to discuss and advocate carbon reduction strategies with our clients.
4. Identify areas of opportunity to build new services and skills that benefit our clients and promote net zero carbon.
5. Influence our clients, colleagues and staff to support the goals of MEP 2040 and AIA 2030.
6. Achieve net zero carbon in the built environment by 2040.
7. Cultivate a firm that understands the importance of achieving net zero carbon emissions and how to incorporate net zero strategies into MEP design.
Our strategy to achieve our goals will be multifaceted and will require creativity to modify existing internal processes. Also, communication will be key.
1. Incorporate carbon reduction strategies in our designs such as specifying low GWP refrigerants, include charging stations for electric vehicles, include PV systems, etc.
2. Promote electrification of building systems that are traditionally fossil fuel based, such as electric heat pumps in lieu of natural gas water heating.
3. Include photovoltaic studies in our standard deliverables to educate our clients.
4. Promote awareness in the industry by giving presentations to architects on net zero design and renewable energy.
5. Update our standards and specifications as technology and industry practices evolve.
6. Review our design performance regularly, to evaluate our progress.
7. Keep a library of projects that implement zero energy and carbon strategies to use as a reference and to establish historical data for future use.
8. Update office signage to promote net zero carbon/energy.
9. Develop digital marketing strategies to promote net zero carbon internally and externally using social media.
10. Develop a baseline for each project to assess the quality of our designs regarding carbon emissions (operational and embodied).
1. As a member of the AIA 2030 Commitment, we will have an established method of reporting our progress.
2. Our internal database of projects which tracks the predicted and actual energy usage can be adapted to include carbon to use as a resource for reporting.
3. Environmental Product Declarations will be used to aid in reporting.
