Who We Are

The Carbon Leadership Forum accelerates the transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the greenhouse gas emissions attributed to materials (also knows as embodied carbon) used in buildings and infrastructure.

We research, educate, and foster cross-collaboration to bring embodied carbon of buildings and infrastructure down to zero.

Our Vision

We envision a transformed, decarbonized building industry – better buildings for a better planet.

Our Mission

Our mission is to eliminate embodied carbon of buildings, materials, and infrastructure to create a just and thriving future.

How We Do it

Recognizing that buildings account for nearly half of global CO2 emissions, the Carbon Leadership Forum, an organization at the University of Washington, is dedicated to accelerating the transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the embodied carbon in building materials and construction through collective action.

The Carbon Leadership Forum propels knowledge through its embodied carbon research and resources, collaboration through its robust network of architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, building owners, policymakers, and associations, and action by supporting and empowering its members to advance new ideas and approaches through impactful initiatives.

Research

We investigate the pathways for maximizing carbon reductions and lead collaborative research with material experts, NGOs, industry partners and policymakers.

Resources

We accelerate learning by crowdsourcing and disseminating knowledge that empowers our members.

Network

We bring together architects, engineers, contractors, material suppliers, building owners, policymakers, and associations through environments designed to connect inspired advocates and spark unprecedented collaboration.

Initiatives

We accelerate market transformation by inspiring, supporting and empowering our members to advance new ideas through impactful initiatives.

Meet the Team

University of Washington Staff

Board

Past Staff and Students

​2021-2022 Carbon Leadership Forum Impact Report

A changed landscape for embodied carbon action

In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the Carbon Leadership Forum experienced rapid growth, confronted expanded opportunities for impact, and faced new challenges. Increasingly, the topic of embodied carbon has moved to the center of the conversation for the green building movement, and companies, organizations, policy-makers, and design professionals are confronting the carbon challenge with a new degree of urgency and focused attention. Read what CLF has been doing to accelerate system-wide change.