CLF’s Embodied Carbon NGO/Government Roundtable has the following objectives:
— Share news, strategic plans, resources, and tools related to embodied carbon.
— Report planning and future dates for conferences, webinars, and meetings.
— Inspire and facilitate ongoing communication and conversation among key leaders related to embodied carbon.
— Encourage convergence on shared embodied carbon terminology, data standards, benchmarks, and targets for embodied carbon reduction.
At the January 16th meeting, presenters included:
- Michelle Lambert – CLF
- Meghan Lewis – CLF
- Mikaela DeRousseau — Building Transparency
- Melanie De Cola — AIA
- Mic Patterson — Facade Tectonics Institute
- Natalie Georgieff — Center for Sustainable Building Research (U. Minn.) - Minnesota Buy Clean
- Cecilia Wandiga — Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI), CLF Kenya Regional Hub
- James Kitchin — MASS Design Group
- Brad Nies — GSA
- Kara Kokernak – ULI
- Luke Leung – MEP2040
- Stephanie Dalo & Natalie Douglas — ZEIC (Zero Emissions Innovation Center), CLF British Columbia Regional Hub
- Taylor Linell – BuiltCold
Michelle Lambert – CLF
- ECHO Project Update: The ECHO Project website
- Convening of 17 different organizations that are all either collecting embodied carbon data or preparing to collect embodied carbon data on projects
- echo project defines projects not just buildings, but also inclusive of landscape and infrastructure and working to align the embodied carbon data collection and reporting across all of those different components of a project
- Fall 2024: Released the first two publications that came out of this group: data schema for collecting embodied carbon data across projects and LCA recommendations Report
Meghan Lewis – CLF
- New Buy Clean Reports & Video Series: Model LCA specifications for concrete, steel, and wood products, aligned with Washington’s Buy Clean & Buy Fair policies, plus a five-part training video series on embodied carbon topics. Embodied Carbon Video Training Series, Model Embodied Carbon Specifications
- ECHO Project LCA Recommendations: A new September 2024 publication offering guidance on 10 key areas of Project LCA, categorized into Absolute Minimum, Strongly Recommended, and Future Considerations.
- Comparison of Standards: The appendix compares 29 major North American and global standards, policies, and programs to highlight current trends and future directions.
- Industry Alignment: The recommendations balance the need for rapid progress with practical, ambitious embodied carbon policies across diverse programs.
- Next Steps: Links to ECHO’s latest publications and analysis will be shared for further exploration. ECHO Publications
Mikaela DeRousseau — Building Transparency
- Senior Data and Methodology Manager (First NGO/Gov’t Roundtable!)
- Building Transparency is a nonprofit and our core mission is to provide open-access data and tools for enabling the decarbonization of the built environment
- Expansion of EC3 Database: The EC3 tool now houses over 150,000 Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) from 2,600+ companies across 200 material categories, reflecting significant growth since its 2019 launch.
- New Civil Engineering Planner: A civil engineering planner has been added to EC3, allowing users to plan and compare infrastructure projects. It is currently available as a toggle feature in account settings for interested testers.
- Maps Feature for EPD Search: A new mapping feature enables users to visualize EPD data by location, providing insights into manufacturing plants, EPD counts, and global warming potential (GWP) ranges.
- Single User Pilot Account: Individuals can now sign up for a pilot account, gaining early access to new EC3 features, pilot product categories, and quarterly office hours for feedback and discussion. EC3 Individual Pilot Program
- Policy & Standards Involvement: Building Transparency is actively contributing to embodied carbon policy development (e.g., New York State & City projects) and engaging in EPD and Product Category Rule (PCR) standardization efforts across multiple materials.
Melanie De Cola — AIA
- New Embodied Carbon Tracking in DDX: AIA has introduced an embodied carbon-only section in the DDX platform, allowing users to voluntarily input and track embodied carbon data separately from whole-building reporting.
- Enhanced Reporting Features: The platform now includes conditioned and unconditioned space tracking, addressing common queries about spaces like parking garages, and automated unit conversions for ease of data entry.
- Annual Reporting Updates: AIA continues to publish two annual reports—“2030 by the Numbers” and a newer “Materials by the Numbers” report, tracking project participation and material use trends.
- Materials Pledge Reporting: The first-ever Materials Pledge Report was launched last year, and the upcoming edition will include embodied carbon data aligned with ECHO requirements. Materials Pledge report, 2030 Commitment report
- Encouraging Engagement & Feedback: Users are encouraged to explore the embodied carbon-only journey in DDX, contribute data, and participate in upcoming reporting initiatives to enhance industry-wide climate action efforts.
Mic Patterson — Facade Tectonics Institute
- 2025 Vitruvian Honors & Awards: Facade Tectonics Institute is launching its 2025 Vitruvian Honors and Awards program with 13 categories, including new awards for Facade Educator and Student Achievement.
- 2026 World Congress at Carnegie Mellon: The call for papers opens in April 2024, with Carnegie Mellon University hosting the event and supporting the peer review process.
- Building Industry Research & DOE Collaboration: Continuing a Department of Energy-backed study on barriers to adopting high-performance facade technologies, following last year’s survey-based research. DOE Report on High-Performance Facades
- Code Advocacy & Performance Standards: The advocacy committee remains active in updating facade-related building codes, successfully advancing higher performance requirements in recent years.
Natalie Georgieff — Center for Sustainable Building Research (U. Minn.) - Minnesota Buy Clean
- Minnesota Buy Clean Policy Implementation: The Center for Sustainable Building Research is working with the Minnesota Department of Administration and MnDOT to implement Minnesota’s Buy Clean policy, signed in August 2023.
- Task Force & Working Groups: The Buy Clean Task Force, launched in October 2023, has formed subgroups focused on concrete, steel & rebar, asphalt, and a pilot program, with research into additional materials like glass and insulation. Mn Buy Clean Task Force
- Legislative Reporting & GWP Limits: The first legislative report is due December 2024, with concrete GWP limits set in January 2026 and additional material limits finalized in January 2028.
- EPD Grant Program: A $255,000 grant program launched in December 2023 to support Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) development in Minnesota, with applications under review.
- Next Steps & Database Development: The March task force meeting will consolidate recommendations, and the team is researching database options for EPD storage while collaborating with other Buy Clean programs nationwide.
Cecilia Wandiga — Centre for Science and Technology Innovations (CSTI), CLF Kenya Regional Hub
- Bridging Traditional and Modern Approaches: CSTI focuses on integrating traditional African construction practices with modern sustainable solutions to address Net Zero goals, while considering local biodiversity and environmental impacts.
- Concrete Innovation & Climate Adaptation: Research on biochar-based cement and aggregates aims to reduce reliance on illegal sand harvesting and improve climate-specific concrete mixes, addressing challenges in different African climatic zones.
- Addressing Informal Construction Practices: The majority of Africa’s construction workforce operates through apprenticeship-based, informal methods. CSTI is exploring temperature sensors for concrete maturity indices to enhance material efficiency and prevent structural failures.
- Investor Hesitation & Resource Constraints: With $130-$170 billion in infrastructure investments, investors are cautious about adopting new low-carbon materials due to concerns about supply chain scalability and competition with other sectors like energy and agriculture.
- Pilot Projects & Industry Collaboration: CSTI partners with local companies and global advisors (e.g., Arup, Africa Wildlife Foundation) to test biochar-based materials in sidewalks, pavements, and water treatment applications, with ongoing trials in collaboration with Bamburi Cement for road construction.
James Kitchin — MASS Design Group
- Agricultural Fiber PCR Development: A Product Category Rule (PCR) for agricultural fibers (hemp, straw, grass, bamboo) is being developed with Smart EPD and funded by CASPR, with key industry experts collaborating to standardize environmental assessments.
- Breakthrough in Material Alignment: Recent discussions have led to a consensus on how different agricultural fibers will be assessed, with the next focus on land use impacts and agricultural practices affecting sustainability.
- Biobased Materials Collective Growth: The Biobased Materials Collective has expanded to 375 active members, with a strong network for knowledge sharing and innovation in sustainable materials. The next quarterly meeting is on January 22nd. Bio-based Materials Collective
- Upcoming In-Person Events: A Biobased Materials Collective Summit is planned for May 2024 in the Northeast U.S., offering networking opportunities.
- Living Futures Conference Participation: hosting pre-summit events at the Living Futures Conference in Portland in May 2024, broadening engagement with sustainability leaders.
Brad Nies — GSA
- Massive Climate Investments: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have directed $7 billion into GSA projects, creating 15,500 jobs, generating $8.8 billion in GDP, and fostering sustainable infrastructure across 49 states. GSA Climate & Infrastructure Investments
- Growth of Low Embodied Carbon Materials: The Low Embodied Carbon Construction Materials Program has driven 24,000+ new Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) since May 2023, with 383 North American vendors now supplying sustainable asphalt, concrete, steel, and glass.
- Market Transformation & Vendor Participation: The number of vendors providing EPDs has surged, with concrete EPDs increasing by 19% and flat glass manufacturers meeting stringent GSA limits tripling—expanding supplier participation in federal projects.
- Major Energy & Emissions Reductions: GSA projects funded by the IRA and BIL are expected to reduce carbon emissions by 2.3 million metric tons, equivalent to removing 500,000 gas-powered cars from the road for a year.
- Showcase Project – Moss U.S. Courthouse: A $151M renovation in Salt Lake City is implementing a deep energy retrofit, reducing energy use by 52% and embodied carbon by 57%, while upgrading to all-electric, high-efficiency systems to meet federal sustainability standards.
Kara Kokernak – ULI
- Emphasis on momentum in the ongoing work towards embodied carbon reduction.
- ULI Interactive Embodied Carbon Timeline, Interactive Guide
- The interactive timeline highlights key intervention points and is aimed at developers and business owners.
- Kara will be presenting more details at the next meeting of the forum.
Luke Leung – MEP2040
- Upcoming MEP Guide on Embodied Carbon: A new guide addressing the embodied carbon of MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systems is nearing publication. This guide aims to fill a significant knowledge gap in the industry.
- Stronger Collaboration with Architecture 2030: MEP 2040 is enhancing its partnership with Architecture 2030 to improve administration and fundraising efforts.
- Donations Now Possible: Those interested in supporting MEP 2040 financially now have an official channel to contribute.
- Collaboration with CLF: The MEP embodied carbon report is being developed in coordination with CLF technical staff, focusing on policy and understanding the long-term carbon impact of MEP systems in building projects.
Stephanie Dalo & Natalie Douglas — ZEIC (Zero Emissions Innovation Center), CLF British Columbia Regional Hub
- Embodied Carbon Awards & 5-Year Anniversary: Successfully held the 2nd Embodied Carbon Awards and celebrated 5 years of CLFBC’s impact in the industry. The awards recognize leadership in organizational commitment, public sector leadership, small/large buildings, and circularity. CLF BC Hub Newsletter Essay
- Support for Vancouver’s 2025 Building Bylaw Updates: Published case studies to inform Vancouver’s proposed embodied carbon regulations, including a 10% reduction to baseline and leadership credits for MEP systems, interiors, and circular strategies.
- Near Zero Research Program (NIR 02): A research grant supporting Part 9 designers and builders in reducing embodied carbon. Data collected will inform future Vancouver regulations for residential and small buildings.
- Low-Carbon Material Sourcing Guide: Updated guide listing BC-sourced low-carbon materials for Part 9 and Part 3 buildings. Interest from the City of Seattle highlights its growing influence. Low Carbon Material Sourcing Guide
- National & Circularity Initiatives: Organized a Canada-wide embodied carbon summit, contributing to a white paper and planning another event for June 2025. Also collaborating on material passports and circular economy strategies like deconstruction, reuse, and design for disassembly.
Taylor Linell – BuiltCold
- Compliance & Workflow Tools: Build Cold develops tools for federal, state, and local agencies to create and implement Buy Clean programs, minimizing disruption while advancing embodied carbon reduction.
- Project & Bid Management Expansion: New features enable agencies to set material thresholds, manage bids, and track materials throughout a project.
- Colorado Buy Clean Sales Tax Incentive: Builders using low-carbon materials in Colorado can get a 2.9% sales tax exemption, reducing costs and making sustainable materials more competitive.
- Collaboration & Support: Works closely with Building Transparency and the Carbon Leadership Forum, offering agencies a comprehensive toolkit for Buy Clean program deployment.
Additional Attendees
- Johanna Anderson, US EPA - EPA Publications on Low Embodied Carbon Construction
- Luna Oiwa, US EPA
- Sylvie Binder, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
- Julia Casagrande, NYC Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice
- Mariane Jang, NYS Office of General Services
- Sonja O’Claire, Sound Transit
- Marco Sirotti, Bellona Europa
- Nehal Abdelfattah, JACOBS
- McKenzie Glass, City and County of Denver
- Natalie Douglas, Zero Emissions Innovation Centre (ZEIC)
- Gordon Sharp, I2SL (International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories)