As Australia strides towards its net-zero goals, the construction industry is under increasing pressure to account for embodied carbon. This blog explores the critical role of embodied carbon reporting in achieving these targets.
Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the lifecycle of a building material, from extraction and manufacturing through to installation and end-of-life disposal. As Australia intensifies efforts to meet its net-zero targets, understanding and mitigating embodied carbon is becoming increasingly crucial. The construction and infrastructure sectors are significant contributors to carbon emissions, and reducing embodied carbon is vital for achieving sustainability goals.
Embodied carbon reporting provides a systematic approach to quantify these emissions, offering actionable insights to reduce the carbon footprint of construction projects. By understanding embodied carbon, stakeholders in the construction industry can make informed decisions about material selection, design, and construction processes, contributing to a more sustainable built environment.
Australia's regulatory landscape is evolving to support the reduction of embodied carbon in construction. The 2025 National Construction Code (NCC) will introduce voluntary embodied carbon reporting pathways, with minimum standards potentially becoming mandatory by 2028. These changes signal a significant shift towards more stringent sustainability requirements in the industry.
The move towards mandatory embodied carbon reporting is part of a broader strategy to ensure that the construction sector aligns with national and international climate commitments. As these regulations come into effect, construction companies will need to adapt to new compliance requirements, driving innovation and encouraging more sustainable building practices.
The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) plays a pivotal role in standardising the measurement and verification of embodied carbon emissions in building materials. The NABERS Embodied Carbon Rating provides a robust framework for assessing the upfront carbon impacts of construction projects, ensuring consistency and reliability in reporting.
Accredited assessors, trained under the NABERS framework, are essential for conducting these assessments. Their expertise ensures that embodied carbon reports are accurate and compliant with regulatory standards. As the pool of accredited assessors grows, construction teams have greater access to professional support, facilitating smoother transitions to new reporting requirements.
An embodied carbon report in Australia encompasses several critical components. It requires measuring emissions across multiple life cycle stages, including material production, transportation, construction, use, and end-of-life. This comprehensive approach ensures that all aspects of a material's carbon footprint are accounted for.
Consistency in methodologies and data sources is paramount. The national technical guidance for infrastructure projects provides a common approach to measurement and reporting, supported by a national database of emissions factors. This ensures that embodied carbon reports are comparable across different projects, enhancing transparency and reliability in the industry.
Obtaining an embodied carbon report is not just about regulatory compliance; it's about positioning projects for long-term success. By proactively addressing embodied carbon, construction teams can future-proof their projects against evolving regulations, improve market competitiveness, and support Australia's transition to a low-carbon built environment.
Engaging accredited professionals early in the design process is crucial. Early assessments allow for the identification of high-impact areas and the implementation of mitigation strategies. Staying updated with the latest standards and tools will ensure that construction teams are prepared to meet new requirements as they emerge. By prioritising embodied carbon reporting, the construction industry can lead the way in sustainability and innovation.