When people think about building emissions, they often think first about energy use. Heating, cooling, lighting, appliances and building services are all important. But a large part of a building’s environmental impact can be created before the building is even occupied.

That impact is known as embodied carbon.

It includes the emissions linked to extracting raw materials, manufacturing building products, transporting materials, constructing the building, replacing materials over time and eventually dealing with demolition, disposal, recycling or reuse.

In Brief

Embodied carbon is the carbon impact of the building itself.

It is different from operational carbon, which relates to the emissions created by running a building over time.

Embodied carbon looks at the physical materials and construction decisions that shape a building’s carbon footprint from the beginning of the project through to future maintenance, replacement and end of life.

Building Lifecycle

What does embodied carbon include?

Embodied carbon can include emissions from several stages of a building’s lifecycle. The exact scope depends on the assessment method, reporting requirement and project brief, but it commonly considers the carbon associated with materials and construction.

Why It Matters

Why is embodied carbon becoming more important?

As buildings become more energy efficient in operation, the carbon associated with materials and construction becomes more visible. A building may perform well once occupied, but still carry a significant carbon impact because of the materials and systems used to create it.

This is especially important because many embodied carbon decisions happen early. Structural systems, retention or demolition, concrete volumes, steel design, façade strategy, glazing ratios, insulation choices and material specifications can all influence the carbon profile of a project.

For architects, developers, builders and consultants, embodied carbon is no longer just an environmental concept. It is becoming part of responsible project planning, material selection and long term building performance thinking.

Important Distinction

Embodied carbon is different from operational carbon.

Operational carbon relates to the emissions created by running a building. This can include heating, cooling, lighting, hot water, appliances, equipment and building services.

Embodied carbon relates to the building’s materials, construction and lifecycle impacts.

Both matter. A low carbon building needs to consider how it is built as well as how it performs over time. For energy performance pathways, see Section J, JV3 Assessment, NatHERS and Whole of Home.

Material Awareness

Which building elements affect embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon is not caused by one material alone. It is shaped by the total design, quantity, specification and lifecycle of the building system.

• Concrete slabs, footings, columns, walls and cores
• Steel framing, reinforcement, beams and structural components
• Timber framing, engineered timber and joinery elements
• Brickwork, masonry, blocks and façade materials
• Windows, curtain wall systems, aluminium framing and glazing
• Insulation, membranes, linings and internal finishes
• Building services, equipment and replacement cycles
• Demolition, reuse, recycling and end of life assumptions

A good embodied carbon review looks at the material quantities and the carbon intensity of those materials. It should also consider where realistic design decisions can reduce carbon without compromising compliance, durability, comfort or buildability.

Reporting

What is an embodied carbon report?

An embodied carbon report is a project specific assessment that estimates the carbon impact associated with the materials and construction scope of a building. It can help project teams understand where carbon is concentrated and which design or specification decisions may have the greatest influence.

Depending on the project, a report may consider drawings, structural information, material schedules, specifications, quantities, Environmental Product Declarations, assumptions and lifecycle stages.

For a deeper overview of this service, visit Certified Energy’s Embodied Carbon Report Knowledge Hub.

Related Pathways

How does embodied carbon relate to LCA and NABERS?

Embodied carbon reporting is closely related to lifecycle thinking, but it is not always the same as a full Life Cycle Assessment. A full Life Cycle Assessment may consider a broader range of environmental indicators beyond carbon, depending on the method and project requirements.

Embodied carbon reporting can also be different from a formal NABERS Embodied Emissions pathway. NABERS Embodied Emissions is a specific framework, while a general embodied carbon report may be used for project understanding, material review, design decisions or non NABERS reporting contexts.

Project Timing

When should embodied carbon be considered?

Embodied carbon is most useful when it is reviewed early enough to inform decisions. Once the structural system, façade strategy and key material specifications are fixed, there may be fewer opportunities to meaningfully reduce impact.

Concept design, design development and documentation stages can all provide useful entry points. The right timing depends on the project, the available information and whether the report is being prepared for internal review, planning, rating tools, procurement or broader sustainability objectives.

Summary

Embodied carbon is becoming part of responsible building design.

Understanding embodied carbon helps project teams see the carbon impact of the building before it is occupied. It brings attention to structure, materials, façade systems, specifications, replacement cycles and end of life assumptions.

As building performance expectations continue to evolve, embodied carbon will become an increasingly important part of how buildings are designed, documented and assessed.

Next Step

Need to understand the embodied carbon impact of a building project?

Certified Energy can review your project documentation and advise whether an embodied carbon report, Life Cycle Assessment or NABERS Embodied Emissions pathway is the right fit for your project.