4 ProjectSight White Paper
5 Pivotal Steps to Reduce Embodied Carbon on Your Next Building Project
What is Operational Carbon?
What is "Embodied Carbon" ?
Operational carbon describes the emissions that result from keeping a building operational,
including the use of lighting and HVAC systems. Operational carbon accounts for 28% of carbon
emissions. On the flip side, the construction life cycle itself accounts for 11% of carbon emissions.
The good news is the construction industry is starting to make some movement toward lower
operational impacts and greener buildings. In addition, building owners are beginning to recognize
the benefits of green construction.
Some of the benefits attributable to green buildings include:
1. Reduced operating costs
2. Increased asset value
3. Healthier and safer environments for occupants
4. Growing consumer appreciation of environmental
stewardship and social responsibility
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Embodied carbon is the sum of all greenhouse gas emissions (mostly carbon) resulting from
the construction lifecycle of a building. This includes emissions from material extraction and
transportation, the construction phase, activities to keep the building operational (such as
refurbishment), and ultimately the end of life stage—demolition and material disposal or processing.
To date, very few projects focus on reducing embodied carbon emissions or becoming net-zero.
However, since 11% of carbon emissions result from these activities
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, this is where the construction
industry needs to prioritize its efforts. Unfortunately, the impacts of embodied carbon are less understood.
Currently, incentives or requirements for net-zero embodied carbon are lacking, but that is slowly
starting to change. For example, the recent Buy Clean California Act
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requires Environmental
Product Declarations (EPDs) for certain materials specified for state-building projects. Additionally,
in 2016, the City of Vancouver published its Zero Emissions Building Plan
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, establishing specific
targets and actions for achieving zero emissions in all new buildings by 2030.
However, construction leaders cannot wait for legislation to enforce embodied carbon reduction.
They must act as stewards of the industry and enact positive change now.
11% of carbon emissions result from these activites,
this is where the construction industry needs to
prioritize its efforts.
