Policy plays an important role in reducing the carbon emissions of the building sector at scale. The Carbon Leadership Forum has put together an easy-to-use Embodied Carbon Policy Toolkit, including the above map of current state and municipal policies in the U.S.
One model is Buy Clean, “a policy approach that aims to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment by setting government procurement or purchasing requirements in favor of lower-carbon construction materials. Buy Clean legislation can shift government procurement towards lower-carbon materials, which could incentivize a similar shift in the broader construction materials market.”
Use CLF’s guide to identify initiatives to support in your own area or to find model language for new policies.