Architecture Chair and Professor Kate Simonen was asked by Governor Inslee to host a substantive discussion as he continues to develop policies and charge working groups to achieve better carbon futures. In Gould Hall on December 6, Governor Jay Inslee met with approximately twenty building professionals, think tank leaders, and researchers. Professor Simonen framed the discussion on how we can achieve lower carbon in construction, including with building materials from lower emissions manufacturing. The Governor also toured the campus with President Cauce. Following the meeting, he expressed that he is “thankful for this group of collaborative and intelligent minds to continue the fight against climate change.”
Prof. Simonen is the director of the Carbon Leadership Forum, whose goal is to eliminate embodied carbon in buildings and infrastructure by inspiring innovation and spurring change through collective action.
“There’s a tremendous economic opportunity for Washington to be a leader in supplying low–carbon materials,” noted one of the stakeholders in attendance. “It’d be great to bring in workers and manufacturers that can put a face on and speak to that opportunity.”
“It was great to be sitting next to the Governor and in the room with [Rep.] Davina Duerr discussing embodied carbon policy options for Washington State,” said Simonen. “We had a productive discussion about both demand and supply side strategies.” Following the meeting, Inslee expressed that he is “thankful for this group of collaborative and intelligent minds to continue the fight against climate change.”
Photos: Mark Stone / University of Washington