The Master of Science in Net Zero Design program in the School of Architecture and Planning at the Catholic University of America is partnering with the Catholic Covenant, founded with support from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Energies, Creighton University and Common Home Corps to offer a unique pilot course ARPL 537 Diocesan Assessment and Benchmarking.

Students enrolled in the course will learn the theological foundations of Catholic energy ethics and then conduct actual on-site energy benchmarking and pathway identification towards net zero operation for buildings within the Archdiocese of Newark. The course enacts the net zero discernment aspect of the new Laudato Si' Action Plan and earns qualification for students to attain credentials toward ASHRAE’s Building Energy Assessment Professional (BEAP) certification.