Webinar: Approaching Net Zero

Scheduled: Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm ET (10:00 pm CT / 9:00 pm MT / 8:00 pm PT)

Author: Paul Spite

Driven by ongoing concerns over climate change, there is an increasing amount of discussion surrounding the responsibility of design professionals to build sustainably. But how exactly does that relate to the stated goal of reaching “net zero” in the design and use of buildings? In building terms, “net zero” refers to achieving an overall balance between the carbon-based emissions produced and the removal or offsetting of that same amount of carbon from the atmosphere. This live webinar explores the pragmatic realities of sustainable design, showing engineers how reducing energy and water use directly lowers utility costs while minimizing the environmental footprint we leave for future generations.

Participants will explore practical methodologies for reducing a facility’s environmental impact, from the energy saved by treating and heating less water to the core concepts of energy efficiency. The course will delve into passive design principles, the adaptive reuse of existing structures, and how to harness subterranean temperatures to preheat and precool incoming air. Finally, attendees will learn how to navigate the procurement of green power, renewable energy certificates, and carbon offsets, providing a comprehensive toolkit for bringing any project closer to net zero.

Target Audience: This course is intended for all engineering disciplines, especially professionals who design building systems, manage facility energy consumption, or develop corporate sustainability goals. It is highly relevant for civil, mechanical, and architectural engineers responsible for implementing sustainable design practices, passive energy systems, and adaptive reuse strategies.

Learning Objectives

This Live Webinar course is intended to provide you with the following specific knowledge and skills:

• Define what is being referred to when “net zero” is discussed.
• Explain why buildings renovated for adaptive reuse are arguably the greenest buildings.
• Examine how incorporating passive design principles can reduce future energy use.
• Analyze how use of the earth’s temperature below the frost line can preheat and precool incoming air.
• Differentiate ways in which green power can be purchased.
• Explain criteria that can be used in purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates.
• Identify various technologies that can be used to generate power on-site from renewable resources.
• Summarize the primary differences between renewable energy certificates and carbon offsets.

Note: This is a live webinar delivered via GoToMeeting. Login instructions will be emailed to you 24-48 hours prior to the webinar and the morning of the webinar. If you have not received your instructions for any reason, please call customer support the day of the event. Webinars are live and interactive, and students will have the ability to directly interact with and ask questions of the presenter.

We provide technical courses for PDH credits that meet Board requirements for Professional Engineers, Geologists and Land Surveyors. This course is guaranteed to be accepted in AK, AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WI, WV, and WY. Before purchasing this course, please confirm that your state Board is listed above.