procurement process. During design of the given system, the teams, along with designers and clients, meet to discuss several carbon management measures: • Embodied carbon reductions, A1-A3 • Design optimization for material reduction, A1-A3


• Transportation emission reductions, A4


• Jobsite installation strategies, A5 • Packaging strategies, C3-C4 • Design for deconstruction, C4 & D


Embodied Carbon and Design Optimization Embodied carbon and design opti- mization discussions are focused and solution-oriented. Te team evaluates material-specific opportunities to re- duce embodied carbon, by reviewing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of competing manufacturers. Exterior products—aluminum billets, glazing, aluminum or steel with coatings to protect against moisture and UV, and concrete panels—are heavy emitters on a per-unit basis. By incorporating topics from the weekly design coordination meetings, material quantity considerations can be highlighted and the team aligned on messaging for subsequent coordination meetings. During this process, the team ensures these changes remain consistent with architectural design intent and per- formance requirements. Tis balance is critical, as it reinforces that sustainability and design excellence can move forward together.


Transportation Emission Reductions Transportation represents another meaningful opportunity for progress. Emissions associated with delivering materials to the jobsite typically account for between five and ten percent of a


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR JULY/AUGUST 2026


Building Carbon Life Cycle Stages, courtesy of One Click LCA


building’s embodied carbon footprint. Although transportation decisions are often influenced by schedule and cost, the monthly meetings also introduce carbon as a consideration. Switching the product’s transportation


from truck to rail, or requesting renewable diesel for the trucks in lieu of diesel, can each have a meaningful impact on efforts to reduce the project’s A4 emissions. Similarly, if the variables of carbon, price, and schedule are all consistent, selecting manufacturing locations closer to the project site is another way to scale down transportation emissions.


Jobsite Strategies Jobsite equipment technologies have come a long way in a short time. Whereas pilot programs for electric excavators and electric skid steers occurred on Turner projects in 2023 and 2024 respectively, the industry now has access to a multitude


of electric equipment, including telehan- dlers, concrete finishing machines, boom lifts, and even 150-ton cranes. While many trade contractors own


their own equipment, discussing electric options—or at a minimum, hybrid—is a great way to lower both the carbon and particulate matter floating around the jobsite. California’s renewable diesel requirement for off-road equipment has had a profound impact on A5 emissions in the California construction industry. The next frontier, and a place where our state can again lead the industry, is via widespread adoption of electric equipment. Te preconstruction meetings with


our trade contractors and superinten- dents are used to confirm the scope of daily activities, power requirements, and charging logistics required to provide our sites an opportunity to implement these new electric technologies.


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