Resources

Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Northeast U.S. & Canada Embodied Carbon Policy Case Studies

• Description: "Policies that address embodied carbon are being proposed and adopted at all levels of government- federal, state and local- at a rapidly accelerating pace. This report highlights nine policies in the Northeast region of the United States and Canada as examples of successfully passed policies targeting embodied carbon reporting and reduction. Each case study explores the policy’s development process, the stakeholders engaged, any challenges faced, and keys to successful adoption."
• Link: 
  • https://carbonleadershipforum.org/us-canada-embodied-carbon-policy-case-studies/

  • Note that CLF has also developed a publicly viewable embodied carbon policy map here: https://carbonleadershipforum.org/clf-policy-toolkit/

C40 Clean Construction Policy Explorer

• Description: "The Clean Construction Policy Explorer is an interactive dashboard showing how cities around the world are supporting the transition towards a resource-efficient and low- to zero-emissions construction sector. The map is a living document and we will keep it up to date as new policies are developed."
• Link: https://www.c40knowledgehub.org/s/article/Clean-Construction-Policy-Explorer?language=en_US

Embodied Carbon Policies

August 2023 Amendments to the 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Part 11, Title 24

• Passed by: California Building Standards Commission (CBSC)
• Date passed: 08/02/23
• Date enacted: 07/01/24
• Description: Two building code changes to 2022 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen), Part 11, Title 24. Limit embodied carbon emissions in the construction, remodel, or adaptive reuse of commercial buildings larger than 100,000 sq feet and school projects over 50,000 sq ft. There are three compliance paths: 
  1. Reuse of at least 45% of an existing structure
  2. Specification of materials that meet specified emission limits
  3. Performance-based path that allows use of a Whole Building Lifecycle Assessment (WBLCA) analysis.
• Link: https://aiacalifornia.org/california-becomes-first-state-to-adopt-mandatory-measures-to-reduce-embodied-carbon/

City of Vancouver - Embodied Carbon in Vancouver Building By-Law

• Approved by: City of Vancouver City Council
• Date Approved: May 17, 2022
• Date enacted: October 1, 2023
• Description: These requirements apply to all new Part 3 buildings. A completed embodied carbon design report and supporting documents must be submitted at the time of a full construction building permit application. Refer to the Embodied Carbon Guidelines for more information.
• Link: https://vancouver.ca/green-vancouver/zero-emissions-buildings.aspx#embodied-carbon