Embodied Carbon 101

When most people think about climate change, the first things that come to mind are the gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide that are produced from combustion, either in engines or building heating systems.  But what about the carbon that’s a result of the actual construction of those engines and buildings?  That carbon is called Embodied Carbon – the carbon dioxide emissions associated with the production of materials and the construction processes.

Embodied carbon is a massive contributor to climate change, and we need to start paying attention to it to make real progress in fighting global warming. Here, we break down embodied carbon and explain why it matters for climate action.

What is Embodied Carbon?

When it comes to mitigating climate change, there is often a focus on reducing carbon emissions from vehicles, buildings and power plants. However, the embodied carbon of buildings is often overlooked, which is the emission footprint from harvesting, transporting, manufacturing and construction of building materials. Embodied carbon from building construction represents approximately 11% of the total annual carbon dioxide emissions globally. 

For example, concrete production requires a significant amount of energy and emits a large amount of carbon dioxide. As cities grow and more buildings are constructed, the embodied carbon of buildings becomes an increasingly important issue. In order to build a sustainable future, it is essential to reduce it. One way to do this is to use local materials that require less energy to transport. Another way is to use recycled or salvaged materials.

Embodied Carbon vs Operational Carbon

There are two types of carbon emissions to consider when it comes to the environmental impact of buildings: embodied carbon and operational carbon. Embodied carbon is the carbon footprint of building materials and construction processes during its entire life cycle, from manufacture to transport to disposal.

Operational carbon is the carbon footprint of a building during its use, including heating, cooling, and lighting. When considering the total carbon footprint of a building, it is essential to take both embodied and operational carbon into account. Operational carbon emissions are generally much higher than embodied carbon emissions since it includes the emissions from energy use of the entire existing building stock.  Building operational carbon is currently about 28% of the total annual carbon dioxide emissions globally.  However, embodied carbon is still a very significant contributor at 11% of total emissions because it represents the bulk of the emissions associated with building materials and active construction.  As improvements are made in operational carbon reductions, the percentage attributable to embodied carbon will continue to rise.

When choosing materials for a building project, it is vital to consider both the embodied and the operational carbon impacts. Materials with high embodied carbon footprints should be used sparingly and optimized during the design process to reduce their impact.  In addition, steps should be taken to minimize operational emissions by selecting the most efficient systems possible to run the building. By taking both types of carbon into account, it is possible to build more sustainable and environmentally friendly structures. 

As an example, concrete has a very high embodied carbon footprint but no significant operational emissions. As a result, the decision to use concrete in a building can significantly impact the building’s overall carbon footprint.  Steps should be taken during design to minimize the amount of concrete necessary to safely construct the building and to look for lower carbon concrete alternatives.

Embodied Carbon Challenges

Architecture 2030 Challenge

This challenge, promoted by architecture2030.org and supported by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), attempts to reduce embodied carbon emissions from all new buildings and infrastructure by 65% by 2030 and to zero by 2040. The challenge is daunting, but it is not impossible. To meet this goal, we will need to develop new building materials, design processes and construction methods that are far more efficient than what is currently used. We will also need to find ways to reuse or recycle existing materials rather than simply discarding them. Meeting this goal will require the efforts of architects, engineers, builders, manufacturers, and recyclers working together.

Operational Carbon

AIA 2030 Commitment

The AIA 2030 Commitment is one way we can take action on climate change. This commitment asks architects to set goals for reducing energy use and emissions in their buildings to reach net zero operational emissions by 2030. To meet this challenge, architects and engineers are working to improve their buildings’ energy efficiency and incorporate renewable energy sources.

They are also working to engage their clients and communities, raising awareness about the importance of taking action on climate change. The AIA 2030 Commitment is an indispensable step in meeting the challenge of climate change, and it is one that we must all take together.

Strategies to Reduce Embodied Carbon

Several strategies have been proposed to reduce embodied carbon, including design for disassembly, material reuse, green building practices, and carbon capture and storage.

Design for disassembly involves designing products to be quickly taken apart and recycled or reused at the end of their life. This approach can help to reduce the embodied carbon of products by making it easier to recycle materials and extract valuable components for reuse.

Green building practices also help reduce embodied carbon by using energy-efficient construction techniques and materials with a lower carbon footprint.

Improving the efficiency of the design process will also contribute greatly to the reduction in embodied carbon.   Eliminating unnecessary over-design and the use of alternative materials can contribute greatly to reducing the embodied carbon footprint of any new or renovated building.

Finally, carbon capture and storage technology can capture emissions from manufacturing processes and store them underground or in the products themselves, preventing the carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere. While each of these strategies has its advantages and challenges, they all offer potential ways to reduce embodied carbon and help mitigate climate change.

Schnackel Engineers Carbon Commitment

Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) Nebraska Hub

The Forum brings together industry leaders, academics, and policymakers to identify ways to reduce the carbon footprint of the AEC industry through improved design, construction, and operations. The Nebraska Regional Hub is just one part of Schnackel Engineers’ commitment to sustainability and reducing our environmental impact.

AI for MEP^TM

MEP designs traditionally require a great deal of time, money and workforce to create. Numerous experts must be brought on board to plan everything, from the locations of pipes and ductwork to the ideal placement of the fixtures and equipment.  As a result of the time and financial constraints of the engineering design process, tremendous amounts of waste creep into the systems.   Unnecessary over design occurs along with less than optimal routing and sizing of the systems being designed.

However, our cutting-edge AI technology has allowed us to streamline and automate the design process, resulting in a 10-30% reduction in the amount of materials, labor and embodied carbon present in the designs produced by the AI for MEP^TM system.

By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, our engineers can rapidly generate MEP designs that meet all the specified requirements for your project in the most optimal design possible. Plus, our AI system is constantly improving, meaning that each successive design is even more efficient than the last. As a result, you can be confident that you’re always getting the best possible design for your project, with the least possible environmental impact.

Final Word

So what does embodied carbon reduction mean for engineers? It means that we need to look at the entire life cycle of our products and projects, from inception to decommissioning. Every decision we make impacts the environment, and we need to be mindful of that as we plan for the future. Contact Schnackel Engineers today if you have any questions about AI for MEP^TM technology or how embodied carbon reduction can affect your next project – we’d be happy to help.