The city-level playbook for decarbonizing concrete.
A step-by-step operational framework for cities and states to build coalitions, redesign procurement, and drive measurable carbon reductions in their concrete supply chains.
Why cities struggle to decarbonize concrete
Every city that attempts to reduce the carbon footprint of its concrete faces the same structural problem: no single entity controls the system.
The city writes the specification. The engineer validates it. The contractor procures it. The producer mixes it. The lab tests it. Without coordination across all six roles, even the best-intentioned climate policies fail at execution.
Policy without supply
Cities set Buy Clean standards without knowing if local producers can meet them.
Supply without demand
Producers invest in low-carbon mixes that no one specifies or orders.
Data without context
EPD databases exist, but no one connects them to local market economics.
"System change requires a coalition. The Playbook is the operating manual for building one."
Ten phases to system change
A structured, repeatable methodology that takes a city from zero to institutionalized decarbonization.
Gather Data
Quantify your jurisdiction's total cement and concrete consumption by application type — infrastructure, commercial, residential, municipal. Calculate a carbon footprint baseline using real permit data, not estimates.
Deliverables
- Carbon footprint baseline report
- Consumption breakdown by application
- Supplier mapping within a 60-mile radius
- Current specification audit
Demand-Side RFI
Lead with data and education. Issue a Request for Interest to public agencies and private developers — including your emission forecast and regional analysis. Aggregate demand commitments and identify champions.
Deliverables
- Data-led RFI with emission forecast
- Public agency commitments
- Private developer interest list
- Education workshop or webinar
Build the Coalition
Recruit the six critical stakeholder roles required for system change. A coalition doesn't just add capacity — it creates the social proof and institutional buy-in that make subsequent phases possible.
Deliverables
- Stakeholder role definitions & KPIs
- Coalition governance framework
- Technology options research
- Coalition gate check passed
Supply-Side RFI
With organized demand, producers pay attention. Issue an RFI to cement and ready-mix companies to map what they can actually make today, what it costs, and what they'd need to scale.
Deliverables
- Producer capability matrix
- Available SCM inventory
- Preliminary cost curves
- Supply readiness assessment
Material Testing
Run pooled testing campaigns and early test pours on candidate mixes. When the test data comes back positive and engineers sign off, skeptics become believers.
Deliverables
- Test pour results & field data
- Qualification test results
- Engineer & contractor buy-in
- Shared testing library
Techno-Economics
Run the cost-vs-carbon analysis with logistics factored in. Show the coalition that collective action drives costs down: if everyone does a little, the total cost and risk are manageable.
Deliverables
- Cost-vs-carbon ranking curves
- Optimal pathway report
- Collective cost/risk analysis
- Stakeholder validation
Policy & Finance
Design the policy and financing instruments that make decarbonization irresistible: Buy Clean specs, carbon budgets, green bonds, carbon credits. Run scenarios with demand-side partners.
Deliverables
- Policy recommendation package
- Financing instrument design
- Demand-side scenario runs
- Public-private partnership model
Project Execution
Go project by project. Leverage the private sector. Underwrite the first deal, learn from it, fix the friction, arrange the financing, and repeat. Each cycle builds confidence.
Deliverables
- First project underwritten
- Private sector co-investment
- Fix-Finance iteration cycle
- Pipeline of 5+ active projects
Supply Chain Prep
Broad regional workforce training: ready-mix operators on new batching procedures, concrete finishers on placement techniques, inspectors on updated testing protocols.
Deliverables
- Operator training programs
- Finisher & inspector training
- Production readiness sign-off
- Scale-up deployment plan
Measure & Celebrate
Visualize progress on the Concrete Atlas. Publish impact reports. Celebrate wins. Then feed the as-poured data back into Phase 1 and start the next cycle.
Deliverables
- Progress visualization on Atlas
- Annual impact report
- Public celebration & press
- Data feedback loop to Phase 1
The six roles of system change
Every successful deployment requires these six stakeholder roles working in coordination. The Playbook defines each role's responsibilities, data needs, and success metrics.
City Owner
The executive sponsor who sets procurement priorities and drives political will.
Sustainability Officer
The technical lead who translates climate goals into measurable concrete targets.
Structural Engineer
The gatekeeper who validates that low-carbon mixes meet performance and code requirements.
General Contractor
The execution partner who manages procurement, logistics, and field performance.
Ready-Mix Producer
The supply partner who develops, tests, and delivers low-carbon mix designs.
Testing Lab
The verification partner who provides third-party quality assurance and compliance testing.
Deploy the Playbook
Every government agency receives the full Playbook and System Change application at no cost. Private-sector coalition members can license the platform for their own teams.
Government
Cities, counties & states
Funded by philanthropic partners. Unlimited users.
- Full Playbook methodology
- System Change application access
- Coalition recruitment tools
- Permit data for your jurisdiction
- Carbon baseline reports
- Onboarding & training
- Dedicated CTC support
- Unlimited users
Regional License
Per city, county, or state
Unlimited users. One region per license. Billed annually.
- Full Playbook methodology & 10-phase deployment
- System Change application — all features
- Coalition recruitment & governance tools
- Localized permit & supply chain data
- Carbon baseline & progress reports
- Specification tracking & compliance tools
- Supplier qualification framework
- Onboarding, training & CTC support
- Market Data Platform integration
- Unlimited users — entire coalition included