Clean procurement frameworks set clear standards for public and private projects, driving demand for sustainable alternatives and fostering innovation in the building sector. Procurement standards require better reporting and documentation, increasing awareness and accountability for the carbon impacts of materials used. Clean procurement frameworks prioritize building materials with significantly lower carbon footprints. Encouraging the use of locally sourced products such as recycled materials, timber, and low-carbon concretes reduce emissions. This measure not only cuts lifecycle emissions from construction but also supports local economies and advances environmental stewardship by promoting healthier, resource-efficient materials.

This measure is most appropriate for private businesses and localities.

KEY ACTIONS

NEAR TERM

1. Adopt environmentally preferable purchasing policies. Implement city-wide procurement guidelines that prioritize products and materials with verified low-embodied carbon content, building on best practices highlighted by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. Key Actors: Local governments; private businesses, regional entities, state agencies.
2. Leverage local supplier networks by encouraging city agencies and contractors to source building materials from local manufacturers and suppliers, reducing transportation emissions and supporting the regional economy. Key Actors: local governments
   
3. Set clear procurement standards. Establish minimum requirements or incentives for low-embodied carbon materials in city-funded construction and renovation projects, referencing standards such as Environmental Product Declarations or third-party certifications. Actors: Private businesses, local governments
4. Involve community members, local businesses, and industry experts in developing and refining procurement frameworks to ensure they are practical, equitable, and effective. Key Actors: Local governments, private businesses, state agencies.

VISIONARY

1. Launch pilot projects in municipal buildings or public works that showcase the use of innovative, low-carbon materials, providing case studies for broader adoption. Key Actors: Local governments
2. Offer training and resources to local businesses on how to certify, document, and market their low-embodied carbon products to participate in city procurement opportunities. Key Actors: Regional entities, state agencies, local governments, non-profits, private businesses.

Outcomes

While industrial processes vary significantly across industrial operations, nearly all have opportunities to enhance their thermal or electrical efficiency. In addition to efficiency, this measure seeks to decarbonize industrial operations through the electrification of low and medium temperature processes. High temperature processes are more challenging to electrify. Emissions in this sector also come from chemical processes, which may not be able to be altered. Future scientific advancements may find more efficient processes. Nationally, these areas have been a focus for research and pilot development by federal agencies such as the DOE and EPA.

This measure is most appropriate for private businesses, localities, and regional entities.

KEY ACTIONS

NEAR TERM

1. Develop clear regional priorities for continued growth in local manufacturing while prioritizing emissions reductions. Convene engagement sessions with industrial stakeholders and local communities. Key Actors: Regional entities, localities

VISIONARY

1. Identify areas with opportunities for multi-use infrastructure, such as integrating industrial hydrogen production with nearby vehicle fueling infrastructure along a trucking corridor (i.e., I-95). Coordinate with local governments and hydrogen developers in other regions of the state to connect markets and alternative fueling networks, thereby maximizing the impact of this and related Measures across the state. This action is also relevant to the Transportation sector. Key Actors: Regional entities, localities, private businesses
2. Assess the need for supporting infrastructure (e.g., pipelines or new transmission) and identify funding opportunities to support key studies (e.g., local geologic sequestration potential). Key Actors: State agencies, regional entities, localities, private businesses
3. Develop multi-use infrastructure for industrial hydrogen, working with potential major off-takers in the region. Industrial hubs, such as those in Southside Richmond and Chesterfield, Tri-Cities, and Sussex represent opportunities to deliver electricity generation from alternative fuels to multiple customers. Key Actors: Localities, private businesses
   
   

Outcomes