NEW DATABASE RELEASE ANNOUNCEMENT

In response to user feedback from firms participating in the SE 2050 movement, insights from the SE 2050 Commitment Program 2023 Data Analysis and Findings Report, and the need to improve the quality of data collected to align with the ever-evolving landscape of embodied carbon reporting, SE 2050 is excited to launch a new database during the week of October 1st!  SE 2050 would like to thank and acknowledge ClimateWorks Foundation for their support in developing the new database and the key improvements it will feature.

The new database will feature an improved user interface and project creation wizard (Figure 1), allowing users to step through uploading project data.  Central to the new database is expanded Structural Material Quantity (SMQ) data collection and the integration of the Embodied Carbon Order of Magnitude (ECOM) tool.  To improve data quality, facilitate more robust data analysis, and simplify the reporting process for users, the collection of SMQs will be required for new projects entered in the database. Users may opt to use the integrated ECOM tool with the structural material quantity data entered to streamline the reporting process, rather than using a separate life-cycle assessment tool.

Figure 1 SE 2050 Database Project Creation Wizard

Figure 2 SE 2050 Database SMQ Data Entry

In addition to these changes, the new database will include an expanded data visualization catalogue (Figure 3).  The new data visualizations will include embodied carbon intensity box and whisker plots for several key metrics that allow users to better understand the overall performance of projects and make comparisons.  The data visualization catalogue will also feature interactive graphics for SMQs, including plots for embodied carbon intensity by element or material and material use intensity plots by element. These features will provide dynamic feedback to SE 2050 Signatory Firms seeking to reduce the carbon impact of their projects.

Figure 3 SE 2050 Database Data Visualization

FAQs

SE 2050 Signatory Firms have worked hard to submit valuable data to the existing database and SE 2050 aims to make this transition as seamless as possible.  We hope the following FAQs will help Signatory Firms navigate the transition to the new database.

1. Will firms need to re-enter old projects into the new database?

Following the launch of the database, firms will have the option to transfer their project data from the existing database to the new database.  In accordance with the existing User Agreement, SE 2050 will distribute a form for signatory firms to fill out, which approves/denies SE 2050’s permission to transfer their data to the new database. Signatory firms will be given a 45-day period to opt in or out of the one-time data transfer from the existing to the new database.  All data will need to be manually re-entered after the one-time data transition.

 If a signatory firm elects to transfer their data to the new database, those projects will be populated in draft form in the new database and firm admins/users will need to verify the data before the projects become live in the new database.

  2. What happens to my firm user and firm admin logins?

Existing firm user and firm admin logins from the existing database will no longer be usable once the new database is launched.  At the time of the new database launch, the firm admin for each firm will have a pre-populated login associated with the email they have provided to SE 2050.  Firm admins will simply need to create a new password to gain access to the new database.  However, firm users who are not currently designated as the firm admin will need to create new logins for the new database.

  3. Will firms still be able to bulk upload their data using the import spreadsheet?

Yes, firms will still be able to upload bulk data using a revised import spreadsheet that will be downloadable directly from the database webpage.

  4. Will the old database and data visualizations be available after the transition to the new database?

No, the existing database will no longer be active for Signatory Firms once the new database is launched.  SE 2050 encourages firms to download any data visualizations from the existing database prior to the launch of the new database.

  5. Since the SMQ data entry will be changed for the new database, what happens to the SMQ data I entered in the existing database?

Due to the expansion of SMQ data collection, the SMQ data in the existing database could not be mapped to the new SMQ fields without making assumptions on behalf of the Signatory Firms.  SMQ data in the existing database will all be entered under Superstructure Slabs/Decks for each project.  We encourage Signatory Firms to export SMQ data from the existing database prior to the transition so they can recategorize the SMQ data when verifying projects in the new database.

Alignment with the Prestandard for Assessing the Embodied Carbon of Structural Systems for Buildings

The Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently published the Prestandard for Assessing the Embodied Carbon of Structural Systems for Buildings.  This document presents a recommended scope and calculation methodology for assessing the embodied carbon emissions of structural systems. The intended audience is structural engineers and life cycle assessment practitioners. In its imperative text, the prestandard defines:

1. How materials should be quantified

2. How embodied carbon should be calculated and reported

3. Rules of comparison for structural systems based on embodied carbon.

Three embodied carbon assessment tiers are defined to support the various goals that a user may have. SEI has published the first edition of this prestandard in response to the need to align embodied carbon calculation methodologies and to support the Structural Engineering 2050 Commitment Program (SE 2050).  Many of the updates incorporated in the new SE 2050 database reflect the terminology and recommendations set forth in the prestandard and SE 2050 will continue to work to align the database and program requirements with the prestandard.

The SE 2050 team looks forward to the launch of the new database, its new capabilities, and working with Signatory Firms to continue advancing structural embodied carbon data and analysis for the industry! Any questions can be directed to database@se2050.org in the meantime.