California Energy Code Now Required for Embodied Carbon Reduction

California recently became the first state in the country to include embodied carbon reduction targets in its state energy and sustainability code, CALGreen. 

Embodied carbon is the carbon emissions included in the manufacturing process, materials, transportation, construction, and other aspects of building products.  

Because California has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2045, mandating embodied carbon reductions in its building code is a crucial part of hitting that goal, according to AIA California.  

The new code changes, which take effect July 1, 2024, apply to all commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet and school buildings over 50,000 square feet. The code spells out three pathways to compliance:  

1. Building reuse – reuse at least 45 percent of an existing structure an exterior. 
2. Performance – complete a life cycle assessment demonstrate 10 percent lower embodied carbon than a calculated baseline. 
3. Prescriptive – provide environmental product declarations (EPDs) for steel, glass, mineral wool, and concrete that are on average lower than the standard global warming potential for those materials. 

The new code does not ban any material used in buildings.  

Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine. 

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