Can Buildings Store Carbon? How Architects Are Using Biochar to Fight Climate Change #climatetech

Buildings don’t just produce carbon—they can store it. The construction industry contributes nearly 40% of global emissions, largely driven by the materials we use. But what if buildings could reverse that impact instead of adding to it? In this Activating Curiosity™ conversation, Ryan Ware sits down with Allison Dring, CEO and Co-Founder of Made of Air, to explore how biochar and carbon-negative materials are redefining what’s possible in the built environment. Why materials—not just operations—are the biggest driver of emissions How biochar turns buildings into long-term carbon storage systems Why the construction industry struggles to adopt new materials How certification, supply chains, and risk slow innovation Why sustainable buildings are becoming a market requirement—not a premium How leaders can move innovation forward despite resistance If you’re leading change in the construction industry, this episode will challenge how you think about materials, sustainability, and your role in shaping the future of the built environment. This isn’t just about reducing impact—it’s about transforming buildings into active participants in solving climate challenges. This episode is part of Activating Curiosity™, where Ryan Ware explores leadership in change management and helps construction leaders strengthen construction leadership development and lead change in the construction industry with clarity, connection, and confidence. If you’ve ever questioned how much impact your material decisions actually have—this episode will change how you see the built environment. Subscribe for weekly conversations on construction leadership, innovation, and leading change in the built environment. Learn more: https://www.activatingcuriosity.com/ Connect with Ryan Ware:   / ryankware   https://connectiveconsultinggrp.com/ 00:00 Why buildings can store carbon instead of producing it 01:06 Meet Allison Dring and Made of Air 06:02 Why materials drive construction emissions 11:40 Why the industry struggles to adopt new materials 17:01 What biochar is and how it stores carbon 25:39 The carbon budget and why it matters now 33:15 The real cost of doing nothing 45:42 What success looks like for carbon-negative buildings #ConstructionLeadership #SustainableConstruction #ChangeManagement