Buy Clean and Buy Fair (BCBF)

Washington’s Buy Clean and Buy Fair law represents a crucial step in the state’s broader, ongoing commitment to combating climate change and building a clean energy future.

“Buy Clean” is a policy approach focused on the procurement of lower-carbon building materials. “Buy Fair” policies include consideration of the manufacturing workforce, by procuring materials that are manufactured with high environmental and labor standards. Buy Clean and Buy Fair policies can increase demand for low-carbon building materials and incentivize manufacturers to make those products.

Washington’s Buy Clean and Buy Fair bill was signed into law in 2024. This law requires state agencies and higher education institutions to report on the environmental impacts of concrete, wood and steel products purchased for the construction and renovation of large, state-owned buildings.

Commerce will implement the policy by:

• Developing a reporting database and clear guidelines and standards for reporting
• Developing educational materials and model specifications for building construction projects
• Creating a technical work group with representatives from manufacturing businesses, architecture, engineering, and construction companies, labor unions, state agencies, environmental groups and other partners. This group will develop legislative reports with recommendations on growing the supply and demand for low-carbon construction materials and make policy and program recommendations for consideration by the Legislature.

Buy clean policies aim to reduce embodied carbon

Buildings are responsible for 39% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with at least 11% resulting from the production of building materials. Buildings, roads, and other infrastructure generate greenhouse gases throughout their lifecycle — encompassing manufacturing, transportation, installation and disposal — contributing to embodied carbon emissions.

Buy Clean policies are becoming more common in the United States as government jurisdictions work to reduce embodied greenhouse gas emissions associated with building and roadway construction.

Embodied Carbon training materials

• Module 1 – Embodied Carbon 101 – Sept. 2024 video (MP4)
• Module 2 – Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment – Sept. 2024 video (MP4)
• Module 3 – Environmental Product Declarations – Sept. 2024 video (MP4)
• Module 4 – Whole Building Life Cycle Assessment – Sept. 2024 video (MP4)
• Module 5 -Embodied Carbon Policy Strategies- Sept. 2024 video (MP4)
• Discussion questions – WA State Agency Embodied Carbon Training (Doc)

Resources

• Buy Clean Buy Fair Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Buy Clean Buy Fair Final Report
• Carbon Leadership Forum
• RCW 39.116