CaDCR staff writer
A new standard called CarbonStar has been launched to help measure and reduce the carbon impact of concrete, a material responsible for about 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Developed by the Smart Surfaces Coalition, CSA Group, the World Cement Association, and the American Public Health Association (APHA), CarbonStar provides a simple and reliable way to compare the carbon footprint of different concrete products.
Concrete is the most widely used building material in the world, and its carbon emissions have a significant impact on climate change. CarbonStar, officially known as CSA/ANSI R118:2024, is the first standard of its kind to offer a consistent method for measuring the carbon intensity of concrete. It has been developed over several years with input from experts across government, industry, and academia.
“CarbonStar helps cities and builders make better decisions about concrete by giving them the tools to measure its carbon impact,” said Greg Kats, CEO of the Smart Surfaces Coalition. He added that many U.S. cities are already working to reduce pollution and improve their resilience to climate change, and CarbonStar will help them reach those goals.
The new standard is now officially recognized in both the U.S. and Canada, meeting the accreditation requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Standards Council of Canada. By using CarbonStar, builders can choose concrete mixes with lower carbon emissions, helping to make construction projects more sustainable.
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has already adopted the standard for its $11-billion infrastructure upgrade, showing how it can be applied in large projects. “CarbonStar makes it easier to select concrete that has a lower environmental impact,” said Anthony Bernheim, SFO’s Healthy and Resilient Buildings Program manager.
The standard also includes a calculator that helps users directly measure the carbon in different types of concrete. This makes it easier to choose low-carbon options and track progress over time. CarbonStar is modeled on the successful Energy Star program, which has helped improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses.
Dr. Georges C. Benjamin of the APHA emphasized that CarbonStar is not just about fighting climate change, but also about improving public health by reducing pollution. “This is a key step toward healthier, more sustainable communities,” he said.
By providing a clear way to measure concrete’s carbon impact, CarbonStar is helping to drive positive change in the building industry, making it easier for cities and businesses to build more sustainably.
