The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) has targeted decarbonization efforts in a recently released report that is "designed to help [construction] firms assess, track and reduce greenhouse gas emissions for the projects they build," it says.
The new resource, "The AGC Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry," is part of AGC's broader efforts to make sure firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures for the industry.
“This new tool will help firms understand the basics of tracking carbon emissions, including who is responsible for those emissions, how to track them and what are the best ways to cut them,” said Jeff Shoaf, CEO AGC, in a statement. “This document was written by contractors, for contractors, to help them assess the impacts of the projects they are hired to build.”
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The new resource outlines a four-step process firms can follow to work with partners to confirm who should be accountable for various carbon emissions associated with a construction project. It also outlines how to document who is accountable for those emissions to limit surprises and risks for everyone involved in a construction project.
The decarbonization report also includes resources to help firms calculate the carbon footprint of their projects. This includes the carbon emissions related to the manufacture of key project materials like concrete, steel, asphalt, and flat glass. It lays out ways for firms to track and report emissions related to the construction process itself, including carbon emissions from transporting materials and operating equipment on the job site.
In addition, the document offers a host of industry-identified strategies and tips for reducing carbon emissions from their projects, from proposing alternative, less carbon-intensive materials to ways to operate more efficient job sites.
