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Free LCA textbook
Download this free LCA textbook
. PDF. Written by three authors from Carnegie Mellon University, this extensive and comprehensive textbook covers the principles and practices of LCA. This is highly recommended to provide a solid foundation for users of simplified LCA tools like our Impact Estimator.
Free distance learning course on LCA
Access the course here. Provided by the Harvard School of Public Health, this on-line resource includes a rich collection of lectures and slides, although perhaps a bit outdated.
EPDs for the construction industry Webinar
CaGBC on-demand webinar provides an introduction to environmental product declarations and their relevance to sustainable design. The presenters address how supply chain EPDs can drive transparency and innovation in lower carbon materials by looking at the recently published Canadian industry average EPD for Portland cement and Portland-limestone cement. Delivered by Adam Auer of the Cement Association of Canada, Jamie Meil of the Athena Sustainable Materials Institute and Hilary Davies of the CSA Group.
How to earn the LEED v4 LCA credit Webinar:
Watch CaGBC on-demand webinar “How to earn the LEED v4 LCA credit”, worth 1.5 GBCI CE hours 
. This on demand course will provide an overview of LCA and its value to sustainable design. You’ll learn about the changes in LEED v4 and how they reward designers who use life cycle assessment (LCA) to verifiably reduce the environmental impact of buildings.
LCA in building design – slides:
Using LCA for Sustainable Design . This is a PDF file of a 37-slide PowerPoint presentation that introduces LCA and the Impact Estimator. It gives a high-level explanation of LCA, shows example design projects where LCA made a difference, introduces the LCA credits in LEED and Green Globes, and gives an overview of the Athena Impact Estimator software tool.
LCA e-learning module:
What is LCA and why would I want one? This free self-paced e-learning module is a speed course in LCA 101. It is targeted at product manufacturers but also works well for design professionals who are considering bringing LCA into their practice. Allow about 20 minutes total to do the module. This course is provided by McEwen Associates.
LCA 101 Webinar:
Life Cycle Assessment: Product Transparency 101. In this 1 hour on demand webinar, Athena friend Laurel McEwen gives a GreenCE webinar explaining the basics of LCA, covering such topics as Impact Assessment and Life Cycle Inventory and explaining the difference between PCRs and EPDs. The course is worth one hour of AIA and GBCI credit.
Whole Building LCA Webinar:(recorded on October 24, 2013)
How to do Whole Building LCA (0:57:12). This free 1 hour webinar presented by Athena staff provides – an introduction to LCA (life cycle assessment); discussion of LCA in LEED, Green Globes, CalGreen and the IgCC; and a demonstration of the Impact Estimator for Buildings, a free LCA software package for construction professionals.
Embodied Energy Webinar:
Demystifying Embodied Energy. In this on demand webinar with education provider Green Building Research Institute, Laurel McEwan boils down embodied energy and identifies what design teams need to know before sourcing materials for green building projects. The course reviews how LEED v4 addresses embodied energy, and includes a demonstration of the Athena Impact Estimator software, which helps users earn LCA credits in green building programs.
How to do Whole Building LCA (1:11:16). This free 1 hour webinar presented by Athena staff provides – an introduction to LCA (life cycle assessment); discussion of LCA in LEED, Green Globes, CalGreen adn the IgCC; and a demonstration of the Impact Estimator for Buildings, a free LCA software package for construction professionals.
