California became the first state on August 2 to "set general code standards that require the reduction of embodied carbon emissions in the design and building process applicable to both commercial buildings and schools," according to a press statement from AIA California. As previously stated by AN, embodied carbon refers to greenhouse gas emissions produced by building materials during their full life cycle, which includes manufacturing, transportation, installation, upkeep, disassembly, and disposal.
The vote last week sets in action two substantial building code revisions to "limit embodied carbon emissions in the construction, remodel, or adaptive reuse of commercial buildings" larger than 100,000 square feet, as well as school buildings larger than 50,000 square feet. The process began in 2019 when representatives from AIA California petitioned the state to make the upgrades. The two new codes will supplement California Green Building Standards Code, Part 11, Title 24 in 2022. Building emissions now account for 40% of California's greenhouse gas pollution. Changes in energy standards, according to California architect Michael Malinowski, are a rapid and economical way to cut carbon emissions.