Governor Newsom Signs Carbon Intensity of Construction and Building Materials Act

Sacramento, CA – Today, Governor Newsom signed Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill, Assembly Bill 2446: Carbon Intensity of Construction and Building Materials Act. This measure is the first in the nation, and would require the State to develop a framework for measuring and then reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction of all public and private buildings. 

“With AB 2446, we will bring conscious design and employ low carbon construction materials to help generations to come,” said Assemblymember Chris Holden.

The bill would require the California Air Resources Board to include a comprehensive strategy to achieve a 20% net reduction in the GHG emissions of building materials by December 31, 2030 and a 40% net reduction no later than December 31, 2035. This bill would require a life cycle assessment to determine the carbon intensity of both residential and non-residential buildings in the State.  AB 2446 would also require the Board to leverage State and Federal incentives to reduce the cost of implementing the framework and to increase economic value for the State.

“This framework is essential to reducing the average carbon intensity of the materials used in the construction of new buildings, including those for residential uses is critical for the future of California,” said Holden.

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