Decarbonization is often discussed in abstract terms—net-zero targets, long-term commitments, and high-level goals. But for teams working in the built environment, progress ultimately comes down to everyday design, material, and supply chain decisions.

Recorded live at Greenbuild in Los Angeles, this episode of Digital Builder features Jack Rusk, CEO and co-founder of C.Scale, for a practical conversation on what decarbonization really means for AEC teams today—and how it shows up across design, construction, and operations.

Jack breaks down decarbonization as a lens for understanding how buildings move energy, materials, and labor through a global system. Together, Eric and Jack explore why early design decisions matter most, how carbon data can inform better tradeoffs, and where emerging technologies like AI are beginning to reshape carbon-informed workflows.

On this episode, we discuss:

1. What decarbonization means in the context of the built environment—and why it looks different across industries
2. How early design decisions, material choices, and supply chains directly influence a project’s carbon footprint
3. The role of adaptive reuse and “building with less” as both a climate and cultural strategy
4. Why lifecycle assessment needs to move earlier in the design process to support better outcomes
5. How data, AI, and digital tools can help teams shift from carbon reporting to carbon-informed decision-making
6. Practical advice for teams getting started on their decarbonization journey

Whether you’re an architect, contractor, owner, or sustainability leader, this episode offers a grounded, real-world look at how decarbonization connects to the decisions you’re already making—and where intentional design can have the greatest impact.

Digital Builder is hosted by Eric Thomas of Autodesk.