Which term relates to the emissions produced during material production?

Embodied carbon refers specifically to the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the extraction, production, and transportation of materials used in construction and manufacturing. It encompasses all emissions that occur from the point of raw material extraction through to the product's delivery to the building site or manufacturing facility, without considering the emissions generated during the operational phase. This metric is crucial in assessing the overall environmental impact of materials used in a project, as it underscores the importance of sustainable material sourcing and manufacturing processes in achieving sustainability goals.

In contrast, net zero carbon typically refers to balancing the total carbon emissions produced with an equivalent amount of carbon removal from the atmosphere, which is broader and includes operational emissions as well. Operational carbon refers to emissions generated during the use phase of a building or product, primarily from energy consumption, while whole-life carbon includes both embodied carbon and operational carbon over the lifespan of the building or product. Understanding the distinction helps in prioritizing strategies for carbon reduction throughout the life cycle of materials and products.