The multi-agency Buy Clean recommendations stem from President Joe Biden’s December executive order , which directs the federal government to green its procurement practices and take other actions to achieve a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
The White House also announced Thursday that it had added eight new member agencies to the task force, to bring to 17 the number of stakeholders involved across the federal government. Together, the expanded Task Force agencies account for 90% of all federally-financed and purchased construction materials, according to the release.
“The Federal Government is the largest direct purchaser in the world and a major infrastructure funder. By leveraging the U.S. Government’s purchasing power, President Biden is ensuring that American manufacturing is positioned to compete and lead, while catalyzing markets and accelerating innovation across the country,” the release said.
Specifically, the Buy Clean task force called for the government to:
The federal government’s strategy to boost low-carbon construction materials could have a big impact, since the building industry is a massive generator of greenhouse gasses.
For example, concrete, the most widely used material on earth after water, contributes up to 8% of the world’s carbon emissions while steel adds another 8% .
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New analysis finds that coordinating public works projects helps builders manage materials and labor shortages and stay on schedule.
The sector’s overheated jobs market is beginning to cool, while average construction wages rose to nearly $35 per hour.
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Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts
Topics covered: commercial, infrastructure, design, green, regulation, multifamily construction, and more.
New analysis finds that coordinating public works projects helps builders manage materials and labor shortages and stay on schedule.
The sector’s overheated jobs market is beginning to cool, while average construction wages rose to nearly $35 per hour.
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Topics covered: commercial, infrastructure, design, green, regulation, multifamily construction, and more.