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ZERO

CARBON
STANDARD
1.0
A Visionary Path to a
Carbon-Positive Future

SEPTEMBER 2020
VISION

WE ENVISION A WORLD
OF CARBON-POSITIVE
BUILDINGS AND PRODUCTS
THAT REVERSE CLIMATE
CHANGE, HELPING
PEOPLE AND LOCAL
ECONOMIES THRIVE.
II | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0
TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2
VALUE PROPOSITION 4
TYPOLOGIES 6
CERTIFICATION SCOPE 7
REQUIREMENTS 10
DOCUMENTATION OVERVIEW 12
CERTIFICATION: PATHWAYS 14
CERTIFICATION: PROCESS 15
RESOURCES 16
OTHER ILFI PROGRAMS 18
EDUCATION + EVENTS 19
AMBASSADOR NETWORK 20
GLOSSARY 22

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COURTESY OF SFO - 1057 - AIRFIELD OPERATIONS FACILITY (AOF)
Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 1
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Zero Carbon Certification was developed by the International Performance requirements are specified for new and existing
Living Future Institute (ILFI or the Institute) in 2018 to directly buildings, and reflect the following key principles:
address the building sector’s role in the global climate crisis.
Building construction and operations currently contribute nearly Projects must first reduce operational energy use
40% of global greenhouse gas emissions,1 which are conclusively and embodied carbon emissions associated with
linked to a rise in global average temperatures and associated building materials and construction, while introducing
threats to the health and prosperity of humans and ecosystems. no new combustion.
ILFI developed Zero Carbon to establish a scalable pathway to
a carbon-positive building sector to reverse climate change and 100% of the operational energy use associated
ensure global communities thrive. with a project must be offset by new on- or off-site
renewable energy.
Zero Carbon Certification is a third-party verified industry-
recognized standard verifying that the operational and embodied 100% of the embodied carbon emissions associated
carbon emissions of a built project have been neutralized. By with the construction and materials of a project must
achieving the performance targets of Zero Carbon Certification, be disclosed and offset.
organizations demonstrate a credible and comprehensive
approach to carbon neutrality to enhance the resilience and asset
value of a built project.

1 Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction, 2018 Global Status Report (2018)

2 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


SALESFORCE TOWER, ZERO CARBON VOLUME CERTIFICATION PILOT
PROJECT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA | COURTESY OF SALESFORCE

Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 3


Zero Carbon Certification offers a valuable tool for organizations
to demonstrate credible climate action through their built projects.
This program establishes rigorous and achievable criteria for
comprehensive carbon neutrality across a wide range of sectors and
project scales. Certifying Zero Carbon offers the following benefits:

AUTHENTICITY
Zero Carbon is recognized as the only international standard
focused on building-scale carbon emissions and requiring full
decarbonization. 2 ILFI’s Zero Carbon standard comprehensively
addresses both the operational and embodied emissions associated
with a built project. Zero Carbon Certification is verified through
measured performance rather than predicted outcomes, and
demonstrates leadership through an authentic commitment to
decarbonization.

RESILIENCE
The best-in-class performance requirements of Zero Carbon ensure
durability and low operational expenses for years to come. This
certification uniquely promotes the elimination of new sources of
combustion that can negatively impact occupant health, safety,
and productivity. Zero Carbon also targets investment towards
permanent carbon sinks and a clean energy sector to ensure lasting
global benefits.

ASSET VALUE
Zero Carbon offers a cost-effective solution for the world’s leading
companies that are committed to decarbonization. Incorporating
strategies to reduce both operational and embodied carbon preserves
the asset value of a built project by future-proofing it against emerging
carbon regulations and energy cost volatilities. Zero Carbon
Certification also offers a unique platform to positively engage
stakeholders and investors who value demonstrated climate action.

2 Bionova Ltd., Embodied Carbon Review (2018)

4 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


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COURTESY OF GOOGLE
Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 5
TYPOLOGIES

The International Living Future Institute designed Zero Carbon to


be a versatile standard applicable to any building type, scale, or
location. Guidance is provided for two typologies:

NEW BUILDINGS: a project that encompasses the


construction of a new building

EXISTING BUILDINGS: a project that alters either the


envelope or the major systems of a building

Within each of those two typologies, project teams may define


a certification scope that is either comprehensive to the entire
building or a contiguous interior portion of the building, such as
a tenant space. Zero Carbon is a building-focused certification
and does not currently include typologies for landscape and
infrastructure projects.

Projects with an interiors-only scope should follow the guidelines


that apply to the typology of their base building. For example,
a new tenant fit-out project in an existing building should utilize
the existing building requirements. Note that base buildings are
considered existing if design development commenced prior to the
Zero Carbon Standard creation date, April 10, 2018.

GOOGLE’S PANCRAS SQUARE, ZERO CARBON CERTIFIED, LONDON, UK


COURTESY OF GOOGLE
6 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0
SALESFORCE TOWER, ZERO CARBON VOLUME
CERTIFICATION PILOT PROJECT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
COURTESY OF SALESFORCE
Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 7
GOOGLE’S PANCRAS SQUARE,
ZERO CARBON CERTIFIED, LONDON, UK
COURTESY OF GOOGLE

OPERATIONAL EMBODIED
CARBON CARBON

8 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


CERTIFICATION SCOPE

The Zero Carbon Certification program requires project


teams to demonstrate measured carbon neutrality in the
project’s operational and embodied carbon emissions.
OPERATIONAL CARBON is defined The Zero Carbon Certification program is
as the greenhouse gas emissions associated structured around three key strategies:
with the operational energy use of a building.
This includes all carbon from energy required REDUCE operational and embodied carbon
to heat and power the building, including but emissions through design optimization, the
not limited to lighting, plug loads, heating use of efficient and combustion-free building
and cooling, and cooking. systems, and the responsible selection of
materials;
EMBODIED CARBON is defined as the
greenhouse gas emissions associated with DISCLOSE the actual energy consumption of
the raw material extraction, manufacturing the building and the embodied carbon of the
and processing, transportation, and installed materials and construction process;
installation of all building materials.
OFFSET all carbon emissions associated
with the project through the procurement
of renewable energy, carbon-sequestering
materials, and carbon offsets.

SALESFORCE TOWER, ZERO CARBON VOLUME


CERTIFICATION PILOT PROJECT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 9
COURTESY OF SALESFORCE
REQUIREMENTS

OPERATIONAL
CARBON
Projects seeking Zero Carbon certification must
meet an energy efficiency target over a 12-month
performance period. The targets are specified
based on building type, size and location:

• New Buildings: 25% reduction of energy use


intensity (EUI) from an equivalent new building
that would comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2010

• Existing Buildings: 30% reduction of EUI


from a typical existing building of an equivalent
type, size and location 3

No new sources of combustion may be added


to the project. 4/5

One hundred percent of the operational energy


use associated with the project must be provided by
new6 on- or off-site renewable energy.
3 See Handbook for additional guidance on tools and data that
may be used to define a project energy baseline.

4 Existing buildings may utilize existing forms of combustion.


The volume of all forms of energy used by the building during the
performance period shall be converted to a kilowatt hour equivalent
to determine efficiency performance target and required offset.

5 Exceptions are provided for combustion-based process uses,


including commercial food preparation. See Handbook for details.

6 Demonstrates additionality and attribution to the project.

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ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
COURTESY OF DPR
10 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0
SALESFORCE TOWER, ZERO CARBON VOLUME
CERTIFICATION PILOT PROJECT, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
COURTESY OF SALESFORCE
REQUIREMENTS

EMBODIED
CARBON
The embodied carbon emissions of primary
materials7 must be reduced by 10% compared to
a baseline building 8 of equivalent size, function,
and energy performance.

The total embodied carbon 9 of the project


building may not exceed 500kg CO2e/m2.10

One hundred percent of the embodied


carbon emissions impacts associated with
the construction and materials of the project11
must be disclosed and offset through the use
of on-site carbon-sequestering materials or by
a one-time purchase of carbon offsets from an
ILFI-approved source.12

7 Materials of the building foundation, structure, and enclosure.


See Handbook for guidance.
8 Baseline is established by project team and must be based on
typical design; reductions must result from intentional action.
See Handbook for guidance.
9 Total embodied carbon includes primary and interior materials.
See Handbook for guidance on example material types and
the recommended scope for life cycle assessment.
10 See Handbook for additional guidance on the interpretation of
this embodied carbon target.
11 A life cycle assessment must be performed to obtain these
emissions impacts. See Handbook for guidance.
12 Carbon offsets must be Green-e certified. See Handbook for
guidance.

Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 11


CERTIFICATION: PATHWAYS

Zero Carbon Certification is awarded through a two-part process, including 1) a Ready Audit upon completion
of construction and 2) a Final Audit after a 12-month performance period. This process allows for early
recognition once systems are in place as well as performance-based verification to ensure that intended
outcomes are achieved. The International Living Future Institute offers the following options for either single
building certification or streamlined certification across a portfolio of projects.

SINGLE BUILDING CERTIFICATION VOLUME CERTIFICATION

Upon completion of building construction, Zero Carbon Certification can be


after a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, applied across a portfolio of building
documentation is submitted for the projects through ILFI’s Zero Carbon
Ready Audit, the first part of the two- Volume program. The purpose of Volume
step certification process. This third-party Certification is to provide early-stage,
audit includes a review of embodied third-party verification of corporate
carbon strategies and offsets along with carbon commitments and to reduce cost
operational carbon energy models. A Zero and create efficiencies in the certification
Carbon Ready designation is issued if the process. Volume Certification is awarded to
project meets all requirements for this first the organization after an ILFI-administered
audit and will be valid for two year. Prior third-party audit of its development
to expiration of the two-year term, project standards. Buildings within the Volume
teams may apply for extensions in six- Certification scope may then be recognized
month increments, if necessary. as Zero Carbon following streamlined
audits conducted after each building’s
After a 12-month performance period 12-month performance period.
with continuous occupancy of at least
85 percent, a Final Audit is conducted. The scope of a Volume Certification
Documentation of energy performance is program is co-defined by the project team
submitted and reviewed, and a Zero Carbon and ILFI; Volume can be applied to diverse
Certification is awarded. project types across different regions or a
contiguous cluster of similar projects, such
as a campus development.

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12 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 COURTESY OF DPR
CERTIFICATION: PROCESS

Single project certification follows the certification process in this section. The
certification process for the Volume Pathway is defined through an established
agreement between the project team and ILFI.
REGISTRATION Project data can be submitted through ILFI’s certification
Project teams can gain access to ILFI resources, customer support, portal prior to both the Ready and Final audits. Prior to the
and the online certification system by registering a project. Project commencement of the Ready audit, certification fees will be
teams are encouraged to register a project early, during the assessed based on the project floor area and selected certification
concept design phase, in order to take advantage of online ILFI pathway.
resources and customer support.
The certification process is as follows:
The registration process is as follows: • Upon receipt and confirmation of project documentation, ILFI
• The project team lead must have a current Premium Membership assigns an auditor to perform an independent, third-party audit
with the International Living Future Institute to register a of all submitted documentation.
project. To become a premium member and to learn more about
its benefits, visit: living-future.org/membership. All project • The auditor submits a summary of requested clarifications
team members are encouraged to maintain ILFI membership required from the project team, which may include requests to
throughout the term of the project in order to access the submit supplemental documents or information.
continually-updated resources and educational content provided
• After review of the supplemental information, the auditor issues
by the Institute.
a final report with determination of certification. If project
• Project registration can be completed through the Membership certification is denied, the project team is given the option to
Dashboard by logging in at living-future.org and then following appeal the determination.
the instructions under “Register a Zero Carbon Project.” The
Project teams should anticipate a 6-8 week timeframe for the full
project may be marked as confidential at registration.
certification process, which varies depending on project size and
Certification complexity, team responsiveness to auditor clarification requests,
Throughout the design and construction phases of a project, and auditor availability.
the required project documentation should be compiled and
PROGRAM FEES
organized. Once the project is completed and 85% occupied, the
Note that all auditor fees are included in certification fees.
performance of a project should be monitored to determine when
Certification fees are non-refundable and subject to change. All
the 12-month performance period can commence.
applicable fees are listed on the living-future.org website.

ARCHITECTURAL NEXUS’ SACRAMENTO OFFICE, CERTIFIED LIVING BUILDING, SACRAMENTO, CA


Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 13
COURTESY OF ARCH | NEXUS
DOCUMENTATION OVERVIEW AMERICAN SAMOA EPA OFFICE,
ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, UTULEI, AMERICAN SAMOA
COURTESY OF AS-EPA

Below is an overview of documentation required to achieve Zero Carbon


Certification. For detailed guidance regarding the documentation
requirements, see the Zero Carbon Handbook.

PROJECT STRATEGY + SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Information describing the strategies and methods used to meet operational


and embodied carbon requirements. Supporting documentation includes:

• Energy efficiency strategy narrative + supporting assumptions

• Embodied carbon reduction strategy narrative + supporting calculations

• Procurement contracts for renewable energy

• Procurement contracts for carbon offsets

• Energy systems diagrams and/or development standards

PERFORMANCE DATA

Measured project data verifying the actual operation of systems and


demonstrating compliance with the performance requirements over a 12 month
performance period. Supporting documentation includes:

• Meter data and utility bills for energy consumption

• Meter data for on-site renewable energy production (if installed)

• As-built material types and quantities

14 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


The table below is an overview of the documentation requirements, illustrating
the structure of documentation submission for each certification pathway.

Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 15


RESOURCES

EMBODIED CARBON GUIDANCE DOCUMENT embodied carbon. ILFI consolidates feedback from project
The Embodied Carbon Guidance Document was created to teams into this comprehensive reference that is periodically
provide rigorous and authentic practices and methodologies updated to include all current Dialogue posts. The Handbook
to illustrate a common understanding of embodied carbon. is a reference tool and should be used in conjunction with the
This guidance seeks to help project teams quantify the Dialogue to ensure that the most up-to-date rulings
reductions made within their projects and empower them are understood. The Handbook is available through
to create measurable change to meet their climate action ILFI’s Membership Dashboard.
goals. Key points of clarification within this document include
embodied carbon reduction types and strategies, calculation THE DIALOGUE
scope and methodology, and approved tools and calculators. The Dialogue is an online platform for the transparent
exchange of ideas between project teams and the Institute—
ZERO CARBON WEBSITE it is the official site to request feedback on proposed
An online resource for project teams and others, the Zero strategies for meeting the requirements for ILFI’s programs.
Carbon website provides an overview of the program and The Dialogue allows for current unknowns to be discovered
resources to support the certification process—including fee and shared in real time as project teams proceed with their
schedules for certification, detailed case studies of certified projects and research. It provides teams with the flexibility
projects, and educational resources. Additional guidance to get information most relevant to their work, such as in-
documents and other resources are available to registered depth commentaries, compliance paths, clarifications, and
project teams. temporary exceptions.

ZERO CARBON HANDBOOK Filterable based on specific content, the activity in the
The Zero Carbon Handbook is a critical resource for project Dialogue not only serves as a platform for distributing
teams pursuing Zero Carbon Certification. The Handbook strategies for success, it also yields modifications to future
contains the clarifications, exceptions, and definitions needed releases of the Standard itself. In this way, the Dialogue
to fully understand requirements and compliance options. captures the ongoing evolution of the program and gives
The Embodied Carbon Guidance Document focuses on credit to the hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals who
methodology and guidance surrounding embodied carbon contribute to the process. Only project team members can
whereas the Zero Carbon Handbook is a comprehensive post questions to the Dialogue, but responses are available
resource that addresses requirements, guidance, publicly as searchable articles.
documentation, and more, for both operational and

16 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


TRIM TAB
Trim Tab is the Institute’s quarterly digital magazine and
blog. Trim Tab features provocative articles, interviews,
and news about people and designs transforming the built
environment. Each digital issue is distributed to ILFI’s full
list of newsletter subscribers and archived on the Trim Tab
site, which is free to all readers. Jumpstart your learning at
living-future.org/trimtab.

RESEARCH
Despite the rigor of ILFI’s programs, project teams are
proving that the ambitious requirements of the program are
achievable. However, both perceived and real barriers to
success still exist that are technical, regulatory, behavioral,
or financial—or a combination of these influencing factors.
In collaboration with partners in the design and construction
field, local and state governments, and other forward-
thinking nonprofits, the Institute is spearheading efforts to
carry out cutting-edge research and create practical tools.
The latest published reports are posted on the Institute’s
website: living-future.org/research.

Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 17


OTHER ILFI PROGRAMS

LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE CERTIFICATIONS

Living Certification
The Living Building Challenge (LBC) is a philosophy, certification, and advocacy tool for
projects to become truly regenerative. LBC consists of seven performance categories, or
“Petals”: Place, Water, Energy, Health + Happiness, Materials, Equity and Beauty. Projects
pursuing LBC Certification must meet all twenty Imperatives within all seven Petals and verify
performance of energy and water through a twelve-month performance period. Explore the
Standard on our website.
CERTIFIED
PETAL Petal Certification
Petal Certification is for projects that want to take a deep dive into one particular focus area,
or Petal, of the Living Building Challenge. This certification requires the achievement of all the
Core Imperatives, in addition to the Imperatives in either the Water, Energy, or Materials Petal.

CORE GREEN BUILDING

CORE
The Core Green Building Certification (Core Certification) is for projects seeking a high
aspiration certification that is verified, holistic, and achievable. Projects must meet the
GREEN BUILDING requirements of the ten Core Imperatives – up to two Core Imperatives per Petal – and
CERTIFICATION verify performance for energy and water through a twelve-month performance period. All
Imperatives required for this certification are consolidated into the Core Green Building
Certification Standard.

ZERO ENERGY
The Zero Energy (ZE) Certification is for projects focused on achieving net zero energy
through the on-site production of renewable energy. The building industry has characterized
net zero energy in many ways, but ILFI has a simple definition: one hundred percent of the
building’s energy needs on a net annual basis must be supplied by on-site renewable energy,
with no combustion. Explore the requirements on the Institute’s website.

18 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0


EDUCATION + EVENTS

The Institute is dedicated to transforming theory and practice in all sectors of the
building industry, and offers several ways to broaden knowledge of deep-green
building principles and practices, including the following:

PUBLIC IN-PERSON + ONLINE WORKSHOPS


The Institute offers in-person and online workshops taught by expert faculty about
Zero Carbon, the Living Building Challenge, other Living Future Challenges and
ILFI transparency labels, and related topics. Workshops are continually developed
throughout the year and are announced on the website and in our newsletters. On-
demand courses (and pre-recorded webinars) are always available on the website.

The Institute welcomes suggestions for future workshops and other educational content.
Contact Institute staff to discuss options for hosting a workshop locally by emailing
education@living-future.org.

LIVING FUTURE ACCREDITATION (LFA)


To encourage the pursuit of this education, the Institute also offers Living Future
Accreditation. The LFA is designed to acknowledge the most advanced and progressive-
thinking professionals who are working toward a living future. Learn more on our
website.

LIVING FUTURE UNCONFERENCE


The Institute’s Living Future unConference is the flagship annual event for leading minds
in the green building movement seeking solutions to the most daunting global issues
of our time. Out-of-the-ordinary learning and networking formats deliver innovative
design strategies, in-depth case studies, cutting-edge technical information, and
much-needed inspiration to achieve progress toward a truly living future. Conference
sessions encourage a hopeful approach to the planet’s economic, ecological, and social
challenges, and offer solutions for sites, infrastructure, buildings, neighborhoods and
products.

The Living Future unConference offers project teams the opportunity to network with
other teams with similar project types, climates, or regulatory challenges to help model
and scale Zero Carbon and other ILFI programs.

Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 19


AMBASSADOR NETWORK

LIVING FUTURE AMBASSADOR NETWORK


AND COLLABORATIVES

The Ambassador Network is a global initiative to


encourage the rapid and widespread adoption of
restorative principles guided by ILFI’s programs.
Professionals from all walks of life are encouraged
to sign up for the Ambassador Network and help
us spread the word about a Living Future. The
power of the network allows best practices and
ideas to be shared globally, harnessing the best of
social media and communication tools for rapid
interchange. The Network has been designed to
support the continued flow of ideas and solutions
among participants and the Institute. It presents
numerous options for engagement, and the Institute
has created a wealth of related training materials
and resources.

Additionally, this expanding network of individuals


forms groups called Collaboratives all around the
world. These community-based groups meet in
person regularly to share knowledge and create
local conditions that support the development
of a Living Future. Collaboratives are overseen
by trained Collaborative Facilitators, who are
responsible for cultivating a welcoming environment
for grassroots involvement and outreach.

To access more information about the Ambassador


Network or to find your local Collaborative, visit the
Institute’s website at living-future.org/network.

SACRED HEART LOWER + MIDDLE SCHOOL STEVENS LIBRARY,


ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, ATHERTON, CA
COURTESY OF SACRED HEART
20 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0
DPR CONSTRUCTION’S SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE,
ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, SAN FRANCISCO, CA
COURTESY OF DPR
Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 21
GLOSSARY

Embodied Carbon Portfolio


The greenhouse gas emissions For the purposes of Zero Carbon,
associated with the raw material Core, and the Living Building
extraction, manufacturing and Challenge, a project portfolio is
processing, transportation, and multiple buildings owned by the same
installation of a building material. entity, spread out through a campus,
community or larger area.
Energy Needs
All electricity, heating and cooling Primary Materials
requirements, including resilience The permanently installed building
strategies, of either grid-tied or components that comprise the
off-grid systems. Backup generators foundation, structure, and enclosure
are excluded. of a building.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) Renewable Energy


Energy use intensity is a relative Energy generated through passive
measure of a building’s operational solar, photovoltaics, solar thermal,
energy use per unit of floor area, and is wind turbines, water-powered
commonly expressed as either kilo-BTU micro-turbines, direct geothermal,
per square foot per year or kilowatt- or fuel cells powered by hydrogen
hour per square meter per year. generated from renewably powered
electrolysis. Combustion-based
Operational Carbon sources are not renewable and are
The greenhouse gas emissions only allowed in certain circumstances
associated with the operational energy with an Exception. Nuclear energy
use of a building, or life cycle stage B6 is not considered by the International
(as defined by EN 15798). Living Future Institute to be a
renewable energy option.
Performance Period
A continuous 12-month period used for
evaluating project performance. The
performance period may begin at any
time after a minimum of 85% of gross
building area is occupied.

HOOD RIVER MIDDLE SCHOOL MUSIC + SCIENCE BUILDING, ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, HOOD RIVER, OR
22 | Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 COURTESY OF BRUCE DAMONTE
GOOGLE’S PANCRAS SQUARE, ZERO CARBON CERTIFIED, LONDON, UK
Zero Carbon Standard 1.0 | 23
COURTESY OF GOOGLE
1501 EAST MADISON STREET
SUITE 150
SEATTLE, WA 98122

tel: 206.223.2028

living-future.org

IDEAS Z2 DESIGN FACILITY,


ZERO ENERGY CERTIFIED, SAN JOSE, CA
COURTESY OF IDEAS Z2

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