Chicago Construction News staff writer
The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has introduced a new certificate program focused on reducing the environmental impact of concrete.
Developed in partnership with NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, the Low-Carbon Concrete: Quantification, Design, and Compliance program is designed to help industry professionals better understand and manage concrete’s embodied carbon.
The program offers a structured introduction to integrating carbon considerations into modern concrete design, material selection, specification and construction, while maintaining performance, durability and constructability standards.
Participants can earn up to 11 Professional Development Hours through the course, which is delivered online through ACI University.
The curriculum covers the technical foundations of embodied carbon in concrete, including the role of cementitious binders, mixture design and structural efficiency. It also explores tools used to measure and communicate environmental impacts, such as life cycle assessments, environmental product declarations and product category rules.
In addition, the program introduces current and emerging codes, standards and policy frameworks, including ACI CODE-323-24, which outlines requirements and commentary for low-carbon concrete. It also provides an overview of evolving international and federal initiatives shaping decision-making in the sector.
Practical strategies for reducing embodied carbon are also examined, including performance-based and carbon-focused specifications, along with considerations around risk and accountability in meeting low-carbon targets.
The course further highlights emerging innovations such as high-performance materials, durability-driven design and circular economy approaches, offering insight into pathways toward low- and net-zero carbon concrete.
According to ACI, participants will gain the ability to assess sources of embodied carbon, apply relevant standards and tools, and implement material and structural strategies to reduce emissions while meeting project requirements.
ACI certificate programs are designed to provide in-depth knowledge on specialized topics in concrete materials, design and construction. Upon completion, participants receive a certificate and digital badge recognizing their achievement.
Click here to register.
