As more companies work to produce fully decarbonized materials and scale them in the market, we recognize that we can drive meaningful reductions now with the currently available materials, design strategies, and decarbonization technologies.

In our latest report, Material Spotlights: Existing and Emerging Strategies to Decarbonize Construction Materials, we highlight new materials, strategies, and technologies that provide lower carbon alternatives to business-as-usual concrete, steel, asphalt, and insulation construction materials. Our analysis focuses on reduction potentials that either target the top 20% of contributors to global warming potential (GWP) or demonstrate at least a 30% reduction relative to a baseline material, building, or technology. The featured spotlights are limited to solutions with an assessed Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 7-9 and a Commercial Readiness Index (CRI) of 1-2. 

The goal of this report is to explore and document existing and emerging low-carbon materials, technologies, and strategies that can serve as viable alternatives to conventional construction products, with a focus on commercially available yet currently under-adopted solutions. Additionally, this report provides a comprehensive, easily-digestible resource for practitioners seeking to specify lower-carbon materials and implement lower-carbon strategies, helping them make more informed decisions in their daily practice. 

At CLF, we reflect on how to shift business-as-usual practices across the construction industry. Collectively, we can commit to making radical shifts in how we manufacture, specify, and design construction materials. We hope this resource provides confidence in proven strategies as we work to move the industry toward net zero by 2050. 

If building performance, compliance, sustainability, materials, or energy efficiency affect your work - this is the one global event built for you.

Plus, hear from CLF’s Director of Collective Impact, Andrew Himes, for his session titled The Power of Collective Impact in an Industry of Competitors on Tuesday, April 21, at 4:35pm PST.

Project teams can utilize multiple credible pathways to meet both project level procurement requirements and carbon goals. This presentation will introduce the three options for climate smart wood procurement developed by the Climate Smart Wood Group, with expert speakers on each: 1) Recycled, reclaimed and re-used wood resulting from salvage, reclamation and re-use; 2) Certified wood products from a credible forest certification system, and 3) Intentional Sourcing of Climate Smart Wood, involving identification of, and sourcing wood from, non-certified forestry operations whose management practices reflect climate-smart criteria, such as increased carbon storage, ecological integrity and social benefit.

In this session, representatives from the Center for Green Market Activation and RMI will provide an overview of the recently published "Book and Claim for Cement and Concrete," a comprehensive framework outlining key functions and components for a book and claim chain of custody model in the cement and concrete sector. Join to learn about the development process, output, and how this framework will be put to work in a pilot joint procurement this spring.

Join a growing movement of researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and advocates working to decarbonize the building sector.

Ways to participate:

• Join the CLF Network – Connect with 10,000+ professionals worldwide

• Participate in regional CLF hubs

• Share or submit resources and case studies

• Attend CLF-hosted events and webinars

• Advocate for embodied carbon policies in your state

Your voice strengthens the community and accelerates progress.

Über das Carbon Leadership Forum

Wer wir sind

• The Carbon Leadership Forum accelerates transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the embodied carbon in building materials and construction.
• We pioneer research, create resources, foster cross-sector collaboration, and incubate member-led initiatives to bring embodied carbon emissions of buildings down to zero.
• We are architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, building owners, and policymakers who care about the future and take bold steps to eliminate embodied carbon from buildings and infrastructure.

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