GREEN BUILDING NEWS

The news of a pilot project considering greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity is one to watch. Will it be measured on a per kg of product basis? per area? per volume? I'd like to see consideration of GHG reported per year of lifespan of the product. ~Tina

Dept. of Energy starts GHG pilot program

CEMENT PRODUCTS

Supporting the broader move toward clean manufacturing, the Department of Energy is launching a pilot project to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of industrial materials like cement, steel, aluminum, and glass. This initiative aligns with climate-focused trade policies, international agreements, and industry commitments, aiming to reduce emissions in industrial supply chains while enhancing competitiveness through improved data infrastructure. 

Carbon and energy database update planned

CIRCULAR ECOLOGY

Circular Ecology recently provided a Status Update on the Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) Database. The ICE Database has been downloaded by over 50,000 professionals globally. It is a free to use embodied carbon database for materials and appears in countless reports, journals, books, embodied carbon footprint calculators, and more. You can access a recording and slides from the webinar here. 

Sustainable-building groups look ahead with agenda

USGBC

Multiple challenges facing the commercial building sector are the focus for a coalition of sustainable-building organizations with an agenda laid out for the next presidential administration. In addition to tax incentives, the agenda urges an expansion of the Sec. 48E Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit to cover energy efficiency investments and foster the retrofit of buildings for energy efficiency. Read more.

CODES and STANDARDS NEWS

One of the challenges with EPDs and the way they are being used for comparisons between products is that the underlying life cycle assessments (LCAs) can have inconsistencies in how they treat things. The recent gap analysis published by ASTM E60 committee explores some of the issues. ~Tina

ASTM Sustainability Committee publishes LCA gap analysis

ASTM INTERNATIONAL

ASTM Committee E60 on Sustainability has just published the report, "Specialty Report: Workshop on Decarbonization: A Gap Analysis of LCA Standards for Industry". The report summarizes findings from a recent workshop on decarbonization, organized in collaboration with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The workshop focused on identifying and mapping gaps in international standards related to industrial decarbonization, and this report summarizes the findings. Individuals applying LCA to improve their organization's sustainability practices, standards development organizations (SDOs), and other standards professionals to inform future planning will find value in this report. Readers will discover key gaps in the field of LCA, along with recommendations for addressing these challenges, to help with the development of new standards or revisions of existing ones.



Senators push for stricter energy standards on new homes

THE CENTER SQUARE

A group of senators are pressing the Federal Housing Finance Agency to adopt stricter energy efficiency standards for new homes financed by government-backed loans. They emphasize the potential for cost savings, improved air quality, and greater resilience during extreme weather events. The proposal is backed by groups including the National Electrical Manufacturers Association. Learn more.

UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard launched

NET ZERO CARBON BUILDINGS

The launch of the Pilot Version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is the culmination of a collaboration from experts across the UK Built Environment Industry. The Pilot Version of the Standard enables industry to robustly prove their built assets are net zero carbon and in line with the UK’s climate targets. The standard is the UK's first cross-industry net zero carbon buildings standard that brings together requirements for all major building types.

GREEN PRODUCT NEWS

Report: Emissions data key to brand differentiation

MATERIAL HANDLING & LOGISTICS ONLINE

Corporates are increasingly leveraging sustainability data to stand out from the crowd, with 37% of companies prioritizing it and 66% using emissions data to communicate with consumers, according to a new report from Optera. The survey also shows that emissions reporting, verification, and setting science-based targets are becoming widespread, with 91% of companies publicly reporting emissions and 75% verifying them with third parties. Read more here.

BSI publishes guidance on lower-carbon concrete binders

THE CONSTRUCTION INDEX (UK)

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has released guidance on alternative binder systems for lower-carbon concrete that provides a framework for the assessment of such concrete as a viable alternative to concrete made of portland cement. "The built environment has a huge role to play in supporting the transition to net zero," says Clare Price, built environment sector lead at the BSI. "This guidance is designed to empower engineers to make more sustainable choices in order to reduce carbon emissions in construction projects while giving all involved the confidence in the suitability of chosen materials."  

Carbon Limit unveils CoolCrete to combat urban heat

WORLD CEMENT

Carbon Limit has introduced CoolCrete, a concrete additive that reduces carbon emissions by as much as 40% and lowers temperatures by improving solar reflectance and thermal emittance. Partnering with NCP Industries and Bison Innovative Products, Carbon Limit aims to address the urban heat island effect and rising energy costs associated with higher temperatures. Read more.

EDUCATIONAL NEWS

ASTM 2026 Masonry Symposium: Advancing Masonry Technology and Tradecraft

ASTM INTERNATIONAL

The 2026 Masonry Symposium will be held June 2, 2026 in Dallas, TX. The objective is to gather and disseminate the latest information on all aspects of the innovations in masonry materials, design, specification, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation. It will emphasize the application of ASTM standards to those areas, and their coordination with building codes, project specifications, and international standards. Submit an Abstract by 2/7/2025. Learn more.