Architecture & Design · Glossary
Embodied Carbon
Embodied carbon is the greenhouse gas emitted to extract, manufacture, transport, and assemble a building's materials, as distinct from the operational carbon emitted while the building runs. Concrete and steel are the largest contributors.
As buildings get more energy efficient, embodied carbon becomes a larger share of a project's lifetime footprint, which has pushed it to the center of green-building policy and material selection. Design teams now use life-cycle assessment tools and low-carbon concrete mixes to cut it, and some jurisdictions cap it directly.
In practice
In the architecture and design industry, embodied carbon influences key decisions made by architects, engineers, and project managers during material selection and sourcing. Evaluating the carbon footprint of concrete and steel drives the shift towards more sustainable alternatives. This assessment not only helps in meeting client sustainability goals but also aligns with increasing regulatory pressures and market demands for greener buildings. Reducing embodied carbon can lead to cost savings, enhance brand reputation, and improve competitiveness in a tight market.
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