The construction and manufacturing industry aren’t always what automatically come to mind for most people when they think about sustainable, green jobs or ways we can all help to fight climate change.
But a new initiative is on a mission to change that, charting the course for a way the construction industry can become a larger player in sustainability and the green economy.
If successful, Building Clean has the potential to create more green jobs and opportunities in the green economy while promoting more sustainable ways of living in the United States.
What is Building Clean?
Building Clean is a new project backed by the BlueGreen Alliance, an organization that unites unions, environmental groups and other stakeholders in an effort to support the United States’ transition to net zero.
Building Clean operates based on the belief that how we build matters.
According to its website, the project “works to increase the use of building products that are more efficient, less toxic and manufactured in the U.S.”
“We aim to improve the physical, environmental and economic health of communities and promote a more equitable future for all,” Building Clean notes.
How is Building Clean Helping Net Zero?
The main ways Building Clean is supporting net zero initiatives are by:
- Encouraging the use of sustainable products in building materials and related construction projects
- Creating high-quality jobs and opportunities in sustainable manufacturing, distribution chains, and similar industries
- Investing in the health of communities by exclusively using building materials and products that are non-toxic
The potential for high-quality green jobs in particular was emphasized by BlueGreen Alliance.
“Purchasing building products made by US manufacturers — particularly union manufacturers — supports the creation of high-quality jobs,” it noted.
“Dedicating tax dollars towards the purchase of US-made building products for building efficiency improvements helps maximize the economic benefits of these investments in communities.”
And this has added benefits for local communities, the group added.
“When buildings are designed, built and maintained to protect the health of people and the environment — and if the manufacturing of building products and materials create good-paying union jobs in the US — then the well-being of people and communities will improve, especially for people of color,” BlueGreen Alliance said.
Through its website, Building Clean features a database of US manufacturers of a wide variety of building materials and other equipment that were sustainably made and that promote a greener USA of tomorrow.