Embodied Carbon: The Hidden Climate Cost of Everything We Build

energyguardiansltd
Jul 5
3 min read

Written by: Energy Guardians

Last Updated: July 5, 2025

When we think about carbon emissions, we usually picture power stations, transport, or energy bills. But what about the buildings around us; the steel in the frame, the concrete in the floor, the glass in the windows?

Welcome to the world of embodied carbon, the emissions baked into the materials we use before a building is even switched on. For a world trying to go net zero, this invisible footprint is suddenly very visible.

What Is Embodied Carbon?

Embodied carbon is the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the materials and construction process of a building or infrastructure asset. That includes:

Extracting raw materials
Manufacturing products (e.g. cement, steel, bricks)
Transporting them to site
On-site construction activities
Maintenance, repair, and eventual demolition

Unlike operational carbon (from heating, lighting, or powering the building), embodied carbon is locked in before the doors even open.

For many modern buildings, embodied carbon can make up 50% or more of their total lifetime emissions.

Why Embodied Carbon Matters Now?

We are running out of time. Even if we decarbonise the grid tomorrow, buildings still lock in emissions the moment they are built. And with global construction expected to double by 2060, embodied carbon is a problem we cannot build our way out of.

In the UK, embodied emissions from construction materials already account for 1 0% of national GHG emissions. If we ignore them, we fail on net zero.

Enter: Whole Life Carbon Accounting

To tackle the full picture, we need to look beyond just operational emissions. That is where Whole Life Carbon (WLC) accounting comes in.

It is a cradle-to-grave approach that tracks emissions across four key life stages:

1. Product Stage (A1–A3)

Emissions from raw material extraction, transport, and manufacturing.

2. Construction Stage (A4–A5)

Transport to site and emissions from on-site installation and assembly.

3. Use Stage (B1–B7)

Operational energy use, water, maintenance, repair, and eventual refurbishment.

4. End-of-Life Stage (C1–C4)

Deconstruction, demolition, transport, processing, and disposal.

A fifth stage (D) captures benefits beyond the system boundary, such as recycled materials or future energy recovery.

How Whole Life Carbon Accounting Is Carried Out

1. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):

A structured method to evaluate emissions across a building’s life using standardised datasets (like Environmental Product Declarations - EPDs).

2. Use of Industry Tools:

Tools like OneClick LCA, eTool, or IMPACT help designers model and optimise carbon across the life cycle.

3. Design Integration:

Whole life carbon assessment is not just a report; it informs early design decisions:

Can we reuse existing structures?
Can we reduce material intensity?
Can we substitute high-carbon materials (like concrete) with low-carbon alternatives?

4. Standardisation:

In the UK, RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment and BS EN 15978 provide the framework, while PAS 2080 gives infrastructure-specific guidance on carbon management.

5. Certification and Reporting:

Projects may voluntarily (or contractually) commit to WLC reporting for planning, green building certification (e.g., BREEAM), or internal ESG goals.

From Measurement to Management

Knowing your embodied carbon is only the first step. The real value lies in designing it out:

Prioritise reuse over rebuild
Choose low-carbon materials and local suppliers
Optimise structural design to use less material
Plan for end-of-life reuse or recyclability

With policy tightening and net zero deadlines approaching, WLC assessments are becoming a non-negotiable part of sustainable design and procurement.

Building for a Carbon-Conscious Future

The world is waking up to the fact that how we build is just as important as what we build. Embodied carbon is no longer hidden, it is a climate signal we can measure, reduce, and ultimately eliminate.

Whole life carbon thinking helps us design buildings that do not just last, but live lightly.

Want to take the guesswork out of embodied carbon?

At Energy Guardians Limited, we support clients with carbon accounting, PAS 2080 compliance, and low-carbon design strategy. Let us build smarter, not just greener.