Embodied Carbon
Despite being a significant source of carbon emissions in the UK, embodied carbon emissions are currently unregulated, and measurement and mitigation within construction is typically voluntary. As highlighted by UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap, the accurate and consistent measurement and reporting of embodied carbon has become increasingly important to ensure meaningful and credible progress towards net zero carbon goals. To achieve this, it’s essential that embodied carbon moves quickly from being a challenge only addressed by leading organisations, to one that is tackled by stakeholders across the built environment industry.
Live projects
Embodied Carbon measurement and reporting
UKGBC is currently working with a team of 80+ industry experts to develop new guidance that will enable industry to better understand and accurately measure and report embodied carbon emissions. The project has two key aims:
- Understanding embodied carbon data: Provide insight into the development and variability of embodied carbon data, helping LCA practitioners to improve the reliability of their results
- Scope 3 alignment: Provide guidance on how sustainability leadership teams can align their organisations Scope 3 reporting with embodied carbon calculations, and understanding how the two methods can feed into each other.
This guidance is due for publication in Autumn 2023. If you would like to receive updates about this project, please subscribe to the Advancing Net Zero mailing list.
Related Resources
Embodied Carbon – Practical Guidance
Guide to Scope 3 Reporting in Commercial Real Estate
System Enablers for a Circular Economy
Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition
Events
Advancing Net Zero: Essential Knowledge Series
Embodied Carbon Measurement and Reporting Project Kick-off
How circular economy principles can impact carbon and value
News & Blogs
UKGBC tools up to tackle embodied carbon at critical moment for delivering net zero
Circular development and net zero construction: a commercial office in the heart of Edinburgh
Beyond the building: reducing embodied carbon through innovative master planning
Challenges and Opportunities with Scope 3 in Commercial Real Estate
Advancing Net Zero Partners
Our climate change mitigation work is made possible thanks to the generous support of our Advancing Net Zero Programme Partners
Embodied Carbon Project Partners
Our Embodied Carbon measurement and reporting project is made possible due to the generous support of our project partners.