The July 1st 2024 CalGreen update includes provisions aimed at reducing embodied carbon in construction materials and processes. These requirements promote the use of low-carbon, recycled, and locally sourced materials, encourage the performance of whole building lifecycle assessment to reduce material greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and document compliance with embodied carbon reduction targets. These measures aim to lower the overall carbon footprint of buildings and contribute to California's broader goals of reducing GHG emissions and mitigating climate change.
What types of projects will be affected?
New or Major Renovations of K-12 or Community Colleges over 50,000 SF.
New or Major Renovations of buildings that fall under the scope of California Building Standards over 100,000 SF (The threshold will drop to 50,000 SF by January 1, 2026).
It will not affect buildings under HCIA or Residential projects this code update.
What are the compliance options?
Building Reuse- Reuse 45% of the structure and enclosure of an existing building.
Prescription- Specify low carbon materials and source Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) meeting maximum GWP limits for the following materials: Ready Mix Concrete (can be weighted average), Structural Steel, Concrete Reinforcing Steel, Flat Glass, Mineral Wool.
Performance- Conduct a cradle to grave building life-cycle assessment (LCA) demonstrating a minimum of 10% reduction of embodied carbon emissions when compared to a baseline project design of a similar profile.
What is a Cradle to Grave building LCA?
A Cradle to Grave building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts associated with a building throughout its entire life cycle. It covers stages from the extraction of raw materials to material manufacturing (A1-A3), material use/replacement phase (B1-B5) to the building’s end-of-life disposal (C1-C4). At a minimum, it requires assessing building materials in structural and exterior enclosure elements, such as walls, glazing, roofs, floors, foundations, beams and columns over a 60-year building life cycle.
What are the LCA compliance documentation requirements?
To demonstrate the minimum of 10% global warming potential (GWP) reduction target a proposed building’s LCA is compared with an LCA of a baseline reference building of a similar size, function, construction type and performance meeting current California Energy Code requirements. The compliance documentation must include the GWP breakdown by life cycle phase for baseline and proposed buildings and separated by building structure and enclosure. A separate worksheet must be signed by the design professional of record and provided with construction documents. In addition, a copy of comprehensive LCA analysis must be included in the building’s operation and maintenance manual and provided to the owner at the close of construction.
How GCG can assist in achieving this new code requirement?
At GCG, we specialize in conducting Whole Building Life Cycle Assessments, delivering unparalleled insights into the environmental impacts of material selection options. With years of experience and a commitment to sustainability, our expert team meticulously evaluates every phase of the building's life cycle, utilizing LCA modeling software and adhering to the highest standards. We provide actionable data that empowers design teams to make informed decisions, comply with building certification requirements, codes and regulations, and lead the way towards environmentally responsible construction.
Will there be an update on the AIA CA CALGreen Sheets?
The July 1st Supplement language has been added to the CALGreen sheets and can be found on AIA California Website
Sheets were updated by GCG own Elena Kiernan.
For more information on services provided by Greenwood Consulting Group, follow this link.