What share of building emissions is considered embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, and assembly of building materials, including the emissions from resource extraction, manufacturing, and construction processes. It is a key component of a building's total carbon footprint, especially in the context of sustainable building practices, as it addresses emissions that occur before a building becomes operational.

The correct percentage, which is recognized within the industry, indicates that around 25% of total building emissions can be attributed to embodied carbon. This figure underscores the importance of considering both operational emissions (generated during the building’s use) and embodied emissions when assessing a building’s overall sustainability. Operational emissions typically dominate the carbon profile of a building during its operational life, but as energy efficiency improves, the relative impact of embodied carbon becomes more significant, highlighting the necessity for architects and builders to focus on reducing these emissions through material choice and construction practices.

In the broader context of building sustainability, the recognition of the 25% figure encourages stakeholders to implement strategies that can effectively lower the embodied carbon footprint, such as using low-carbon materials, optimizing material usage, and selecting local sources to minimize transportation-related emissions.