2024 Updated CALGreen Code: Embodied Carbon Requirements

⚠️ Starting July 1, 2024, commercial buildings over 100,000 square feet in California must measure and reduce their embodied carbon.

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What’s Changed?

The 2024 CALGreen code introduces mandatory embodied carbon assessments for large commercial buildings. Key updates include:

• Requirements for buildings over 100,000 square feet

• Three (3) compliance pathways:
  
  1. Building reuse
  2. Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment (WBLCA)
  3. Prescriptive (option for specific products)

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Understanding Embodied Carbon

Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gases emitted during a building’s lifecycle, from material extraction to construction and eventual disposal.

• Unlike operational carbon, embodied carbon is ‘locked in’ once the building is constructed, emphasizing the need for early action.

Of those total emissions,

• Building operations are responsible for ~ 27% annually

• While embodied carbon of just four building and infrastructure materials (cement, iron, steel, and aluminum) are responsible for an additional 15% annually (Source: Architecture2030.org)

Almost half of a building's emissions come from its construction.

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Measuring Embodied Carbon

We measure and reduce embodied carbon by conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA).

GAIA’s expertise in conducting LCAs helps clients comply with regulations and apply decarbonization strategies.

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GAIA’s Role & Expertise

With over 300 life cycle assessments completed, GAIA is at the forefront of embodied carbon assessment. Our team guides clients through new regulations, ensuring compliance and promoting sustainable building practices.

• By 2026, we predict even smaller buildings—those between 50,000 to 100,000 square feet—will fall under these new regulations.

• With each code revision, more and more structures will have to step up, helping us inch closer to our 2030, 2040, and 2050 climate targets and environmental goals.

• California's pioneering stance is more than a regulation. It's a call to participate in responsible action. The time for embodied carbon accountability is now. Let’s rise to the challenge and support other cities and states to follow suit.

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Update Your Team: Book GAIA for a Workshop

During this presentation you will learn:

• CALGreen changes: What’s new? What stays the same?

• What is embodied carbon?

• What is a life cycle assessment?

• Which buildings have to comply with new regulations?

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