Understanding Embodied Carbon and How to Address It
As the built environment continues to evolve toward sustainability, one key factor gaining increasing attention is embodied carbon . This term refers to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the entire life cycle of building materials and construction products. Unlike operational carbon , which relates to the energy used during a building's everyday functioning, embodied carbon encompasses the emissions from the extraction, production, transportation, and disposal of materials used in construction. As buildings become more energy-efficient in their operation, the importance of reducing embodied carbon becomes even more critical. What is Embodied Carbon? Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions (primarily carbon dioxide) associated with the entire life cycle of building materials. This includes emissions from: Raw material extraction: Emissions produced when extracting natural resources (e.g., mining, logging). Manufacturi...