ACI, NEU release new certificate program for low-carbon concrete covering qualification, design, and compliance

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) has released a new Certificate Program, Low-Carbon Concrete: Quantification, Design, and Compliance. A joint initiative between ACI University and NEU: An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete, this new certificate program is designed to educate participants on the principles, tools, and practices used to understand, quantify, and reduce concrete’s embodied carbon. The program provides a structured introduction to how carbon considerations are integrated into modern concrete design, material selection, specification, and construction, while maintaining required performance, durability, and constructability. Completion of the program earns up to 11 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

The program addresses the technical foundations of embodied carbon in concrete, including the role of cementitious binders, mixture design, and structural efficiency, as well as the use of Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and Product Category Rules (PCRs) to quantify and communicate environmental impacts. Participants are introduced to current and emerging codes, standards, and policy frameworks, including ACI CODE-323-24: Low-Carbon Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary, along with an overview of relevant and/or evolving international and federal initiatives that influence low-carbon concrete requirements and decision-making.

The certificate also examines practical strategies for reducing embodied carbon and overall environmental impact at the material, mixture, and structural system levels, including the use of performance-based and carbon-focused specifications, as well as the responsibilities and risks associated with achieving low-carbon objectives in practice. Emerging innovations, including high-performance materials, durability-driven design, and circular-economy approaches, are discussed to provide context for future pathways toward low- and net-zero carbon concrete.

After completing the program, participants will have learned how to:

• Explain the sources of embodied carbon in concrete and the role of design and material decisions in reducing it.
• Interpret and apply codes, standards, policies, LCAs, and EPDs related to low-carbon concrete.
• Evaluate and implement mixture, material, and structural strategies to reduce carbon while meeting performance requirements.
• Apply carbon-informed specification, submittal, and project delivery practices to manage risk and accountability.
• Recognize emerging technologies and circular-economy approaches shaping the future of low-carbon concrete.

ACI Certificate Programs, delivered through ACI University, encourage concrete professionals to gain in-depth knowledge about particular topics in concrete materials, design, or construction by following a defined online course of study. Upon completion of a certificate program, the participant will receive a certificate and a digital badge from ACI.

Register for the Certificate Program, Low-Carbon Concrete: Quantification, Design, and Compliance.