For years, developers and contractors have been aware of a building's operational carbon emissions when developing new sites. Responsible for most of the total emissions over an asset’s lifetime, they have been a priority for carbon reduction targets to date. But to become carbon neutral and deliver net zero buildings, the same level of focus and investment is needed to tackle embodied carbon emissions.
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Embodied carbon vs operational carbon
Five tips to reduce your embodied carbon
Measuring your embodied carbon
Embodied carbon refers to the emissions during the construction of a building rather than when it is in use – or the carbon footprint of a material. With the pressure on to decarbonise the built environment and deliver carbon neutral buildings ahead of the government’s 2050 deadline, it’s becoming increasingly important for contractors and developers to tackle it appropriately. Some local authorities have also started to ask about the embodied carbon footprint of new developments, so understanding what it is and how to reduce it will be vital for projects moving forward.
Embodied carbon
Embodied carbon is the amount of carbon emitted during the construction of a building. The extraction of raw materials, the manufacturing and refinement of materials, transportation, installation and disposal of old supplies can all produce embodied carbon emissions. Essentially, embodied carbon is built into the fabric of building.
Operational carbon
Operational carbon is the amount of carbon emitted once a building is in use. It’s easier to measure than embodied carbon and has been a reduction priority for a while now. The aim is to retrofit existing structures and design new buildings with energy efficient practices, including monitoring and lowering the emissions from heating, cooling, and the management and maintenance of a product or structure.
Developing net zero carbon assets requires driving down embodied carbon to an absolute minimum. As companies commit to net zero pathways for their own emissions, they are now focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of what they build. Less embodied carbon will mean a lower requirement for carbon sequestration. This is a vital step in reaching global emissions reduction targets.
Reducing embodied carbon should be a priority for developers and contractors for many other reasons: legal limits on embodied carbon will be mandated, using fewer resources can reduce costs and risk around resource availability, and it may be a requirement to obtain planning permission in the future.
Regulating embodied carbon
Embodied carbon has moved a lot higher up the agenda for industry and government. While it currently accounts for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions, with the projected increase of construction initiatives over the coming decades, it’s believed that by 2050 embodied and operational carbon emissions will be the same.
Industry leads are currently backing proposals for legal limits on embodied carbon. This would see an amendment to the Building Regulations known as “Part Z” which would enforce:
Building for resilience
One of the main methods to reduce embodied carbon is by using more resilient materials that will last longer and are often produced via a more efficient construction process. Adopting these changes will reduce capital expenditure as well as maintenance, repair and replacement costs.
Embodied carbon and planning consent
Cost benefits aside, demonstrating your commitment to reducing embodied emissions is quickly becoming a key consideration in obtaining planning permission. Several local authorities - including Westminster City Council, Brighton, Oxford, Hammersmith and Fulham, Camden and City of London - have started to enquire about the embodied carbon footprints of developments. Having an embodied carbon evaluation may soon make all the difference in the planning process.
BREEAM, LEED and Green Star are all building rating systems that recognise embodied carbon measurement and mitigation as part of minimising the impact of a building’s life cycle.
Reuse buildings
Renovation projects usually save between 50–75% of embodied carbon emissions compared to constructing a new building. If the foundations and structure are already preserved, most of the embodied carbon will already be there and this drastically reduces new emissions.
Use low-carbon concrete mixes
Concrete can be the biggest source of embodied carbon for a new site, but lower-carbon concrete is easy to develop. By working with structural engineers, you can use fly ash, slag, calcined clays or lower-strength concrete if possible.
Use less carbon-intensive materials
Aluminium, plastic and foam insulation all have high carbon footprints so try to use alternatives or use them sparingly if you can. A wood structure is a good alternative to one of steel and concrete for example. And straw and hemp are annually renewable options for insulation.
Reuse materials
Second-hand materials such as brick, metal, wood and even broken concrete can make a big difference to embodied carbon emissions. These salvaged materials have a lower carbon footprint as the carbon used to make them has already been spent. Steel that’s brand new has an embodied carbon footprint five times greater than recycled content steel.
Use fewer finishings
Another way to use less embodied carbon is to use structural materials for the finishing touches. Polished concrete slabs make a good alternative to carpet or vinyl and unfinished ceilings can cut emissions dramatically.
Low carbon solutions sit at the heart of our approach. We can help you measure your emissions and support you to put a strategy in place to actively reduce them. Our architects, engineers and consultants design whole life, carbon neutral projects that reduce embodied and operational carbon in line with our client’s targets. Find out more about our low carbon design approach here.
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RPS is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. We will only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you have requested. We would also like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you.