NABERS Embodied Carbon
A NABERS Embodied Carbon assessment depends on clear project information, reliable material quantities and supporting evidence that can be checked against the applicable rating rules.
For architects, developers, builders and ESD consultants, the most useful step is not waiting until the end of documentation. It is knowing early what information will be needed, who is likely to hold it and where assessment delays usually occur.
Embodied carbon reporting is not only a design statement. It is a data exercise. The result depends on what has been designed, what materials are being used, how those materials are quantified and how the project team can support the assumptions made in the assessment.
NABERS Embodied Carbon is focused on upfront embodied carbon. That means the assessment needs information about the building works before the building is occupied. Material selection matters, but so does the quality of the project data behind those selections.
When documentation is incomplete, the assessment may need conservative assumptions. When quantities, specifications and product information are available early, the project team has a better chance of understanding carbon impacts while there is still time to refine the design.
The project address, development type, building use, project stage, floor areas and basic scope of works.
Architectural drawings, structural drawings, façade details and relevant specifications that describe the assessed works.
A clear understanding of what is included, what is excluded and whether the project is a new building, partial rebuild or major refurbishment.
Material quantities are usually the backbone of an embodied carbon assessment. The assessment needs to understand how much material is being used across the relevant building elements, especially where high impact materials are involved.
This information may come from a bill of quantities, quantity surveyor schedules, structural schedules, architectural specifications, façade schedules, supplier quotes or builder procurement records. The best source depends on the project stage.
Generic material data may be suitable for early stage assessment, but product specific information can provide a clearer picture of the project’s actual embodied carbon profile. This is especially relevant when the project team is selecting lower carbon concrete, recycled content steel, certified timber or alternative façade systems.
Environmental Product Declarations, usually called EPDs, can be useful evidence where available. They do not need to be collected randomly. They should be matched to the materials that meaningfully affect the assessment and to products that are actually being specified or procured.
A good rule for project teams is to focus first on the materials that make up the largest share of the building’s upfront carbon. For many projects, this means structure, façade and major building fabric items before minor finishes.
NABERS Embodied Carbon considers more than the carbon associated with manufacturing materials. Depending on the assessment pathway and available data, the project may also need information about transport and construction stage emissions.
This can include where materials are sourced from, approximate transport distances, delivery methods, construction energy use and site fuel use. At early design stage, this information may be estimated. Later in the project, it may be supported by procurement, delivery and construction records.
Use best available assumptions, preliminary quantities and early specification decisions to understand likely carbon hotspots.
Use a more developed bill of quantities, supplier options and construction methodology to compare material choices.
Use final procurement records, installed quantities and supporting evidence where a certified rating or final reporting outcome is required.
One of the most common sources of confusion is the difference between a design stage review and final evidence after construction. Early assessment can help project teams understand risk, compare options and improve material decisions before they are locked in.
Final reporting or a certified NABERS Embodied Carbon rating may require stronger evidence. The project team may need to show that the materials assessed are the materials actually used, and that quantities align with final documentation.
This is why embodied carbon preparation should be treated as a live project workflow rather than a single report at the end. The earlier the project team understands the evidence trail, the easier it is to collect the right records as design and procurement decisions are made.
Certified Energy helps project teams prepare for embodied carbon reporting by reviewing documentation, identifying data gaps and translating project information into a format suitable for assessment.
This can include reviewing drawings and schedules, checking material quantities, advising on useful supporting evidence and helping the project team understand what needs to be clarified before formal submission or certification.
The goal is simple: reduce friction. When project teams know what information is needed upfront, embodied carbon reporting becomes a more practical part of design, documentation and delivery.
| Document type | Why it matters | Typical source |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural drawings | Confirm building scope, floor areas, assemblies and finishes. | Architect |
| Structural drawings | Support concrete, steel, reinforcement and timber quantities. | Structural engineer |
| Bill of quantities | Provides measurable quantities for major material categories. | Quantity surveyor |
| Material specifications | Clarify product types, grades, systems and finishes. | Architect, engineer or builder |
| EPDs and product data | Support more specific embodied carbon assumptions where available. | Supplier or manufacturer |
| Procurement records | Help confirm what was purchased or installed at later project stages. | Builder or contractor |
A project typically needs basic project information, drawings, specifications, material quantities, product data and evidence that supports the materials included in the assessment.
Do I need EPDs for every material?Not necessarily. EPDs are most useful when they relate to major materials that have a meaningful impact on the assessment, such as concrete, steel, aluminium, glass, timber or façade systems.
Can embodied carbon be assessed before construction?Yes. Early assessment can help project teams compare design options and identify carbon hotspots. Later project stages may require stronger evidence based on procurement records and final installed materials.
Is this the same as a Life Cycle Assessment?No. A Life Cycle Assessment can cover a broader range of life cycle stages and environmental indicators. NABERS Embodied Carbon is a specific rating pathway focused on upfront embodied carbon for eligible building types.
When should a project team start gathering embodied carbon data?As early as possible. The best time is during design development, before major structural, façade and material selections are locked in.
Certified Energy can help review your documentation, identify missing data and support a clearer embodied carbon reporting pathway for your project.
Review the NABERS Embodied Carbon service