This course is part of the Glass in Architecture Academy

Design teams sourcing products for new construction or retrofits are increasingly taking into consideration how glass products embody the principles of stewardship. This article will explore how architects and designers can expand their knowledge of stewardship to source materials associated with responsible manufacturing and ethical standards. Specifically, the article will define the two categories of stewardship: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Stewardship and Product Stewardship. Operational carbon and embodied carbon will be defined and discussed as measurable, reportable units that design teams can use to calculate the total carbon of their product. This discussion will also provide insight into methods for reducing embodied carbon in the glass manufacturing process. Finally, the article will explore other parameters that impact ESG and illustrate how architects can engage with manufacturers to ensure that the glass products they are specifying contribute to a project’s stewardship goals.

STEWARDSHIP AS A PHILOSOPHY

Our modern era has become increasingly interconnected. Actions on one side of the planet could impact populations across the globe. This has prompted more focus on stewardship, defined as the careful and responsible management of the resources entrusted to one’s care. It’s common to think of stewardship within an environmental framework. In industry, stewardship also includes social responsibility, which includes safety and governance. From a practical standpoint, our future depends on taking this responsibility seriously. In terms of the environment, everyone can strive to practice good stewardship. By combining the efforts of both individuals and industry, however, the impact can be exponential.

Stewardship in the Built Environment

Two different categories of stewardship that apply to the construction sector are Environmental, Social, and Governance Stewardship and Product Stewardship.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Stewardship covers the responsible management of our resources in a manner that respects the rights of others, including the right to life, property, and equal treatment under the law. Each pillar has unique stewardship parameters.

Environmental Stewardship encompasses consuming fewer resources, minimizing waste, and constantly innovating to improve manufacturing processes and performance, which benefits customers, employees, investors, communities, and the planet. Environmental Stewardship priorities might include investing in innovative technologies, improving energy efficiency, and reducing air emissions and water consumption.

Social Stewardship incorporates priorities such as the health and safety of employees and the community; inclusive environments; meaningful, rewarding careers; and community outreach. Together, these priorities empower employees to contribute, self-actualize, and create value while supporting the communities in which they live and work.

Governance is found in a company’s management framework and is based on a deep appreciation for the dignity of every individual involved with the company while applying a shared vision, values, compliance standards, and oversight.

The second category of stewardship is Product Stewardship. This refers to the responsible management of the health, safety, and environmental aspects of raw materials and finished products both throughout their life cycles–including end-of-life–and across the value chain.

Float Glass Plays a Role in Stewardship

Float glass plays a vital role in construction and design, as it has a noticeable impact on the final space. Glass and selected coatings can help dictate the natural light available and temperature control through solar energy. Glass provides protection as a physical barrier blocking wind, rain, and other exterior threats. It can also offer protection from other thermal elements like temperature extremes when the right low-E coating and configuration are presented. Float glass does more than protect the physical space, it helps promote health and wellness in the emotional space of occupants as well. Glass connects interior and exterior spaces, which can be important to people inside the building–who can enjoy big views or be immersed in natural surroundings–and to passersby, whose experience could be influenced by the degree of glass reflection. The growth of glass in design is on the rise. According to U.S. Glass Metal & Glazing, the use of commercial float glass increased by 14% between 2022 and 2023 in all applicable subsectors, including hotel, office, and others. The institutional use of glass and glazing grew by 9% over this same period, led by the healthcare and educational building sectors.¹ As glass continues to play a big role in modern design, it will become an increasingly useful and important opportunity for designers and builders to practice good stewardship.

OPERATIONAL AND EMBODIED CARBON

According to the World Green Building Council, buildings are responsible for approximately 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions.²

In the building sector, that can be broken down into two categories. One is the energy used to construct a building, called embodied carbon, which includes everything from the extraction and transportation of raw materials to the production, transportation, assembly, and installation of building materials.

Embodied carbon accounts for 11% of that 39% carbon emissions. The other category is the energy used by a building when functioning for its intended purpose, called operational carbon, which accounts for the remaining 28%. There are opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in both categories.