An embodied carbon report is a project specific assessment of the carbon emissions associated with the physical building. It usually focuses on materials, quantities, construction scope and lifecycle stages rather than the energy used to operate the building.

The exact contents of a report depend on the project type, assessment purpose, documentation available and reporting pathway. A concept design review may be broader and more indicative, while a detailed report may rely on drawings, specifications, schedules, quantities and product information.

In most cases, the report is intended to make material carbon visible so project teams can understand where impact is concentrated and where design or specification decisions may improve the outcome.

In Brief

An embodied carbon report usually includes scope, quantities, carbon factors, assumptions and results.

It may review structure, façade, materials, finishes, services and construction related impacts depending on the project scope.

A good report should also make clear what has been included, what has been excluded and how reliable the available information is at the current project stage.

Report Scope

1. Project scope and assessment boundaries

The first part of an embodied carbon report should define what is being assessed. This may include the building type, project stage, assessment purpose, building elements included and lifecycle stages considered.

Scope is important because embodied carbon reporting can vary significantly. A high level early design review is not the same as a detailed assessment prepared for a formal rating pathway, planning submission or procurement decision.

The report should clearly state whether it includes structure, envelope, interiors, services, external works, construction activity, replacement cycles or end of life assumptions.

Building Elements

2. Building elements included in the review

An embodied carbon report commonly reviews the major building elements that contribute to material carbon. The most relevant elements depend on the project, but structure and envelope are often important contributors.

Quantities

3. Material quantities and take offs

Embodied carbon reporting relies on understanding what materials are used and in what quantities. This may involve reviewing drawings, schedules, specifications, structural information or a bill of quantities.

The level of detail depends on the project stage. Early reports may use approximate quantities or benchmark assumptions. Later stage reports may be based on more detailed material take offs and product specific information.

Clear quantity information usually improves the accuracy and usefulness of the assessment.

Carbon Data

4. Emissions factors and product data

Once material quantities are understood, the assessment applies relevant carbon factors or product data. These factors estimate the emissions associated with a material, product or process.

Where available, Environmental Product Declarations can provide product specific data. Where product specific information is not available, generic datasets or reasonable assumptions may be used depending on the reporting method.

The report should make clear whether the assessment uses generic data, supplier specific information, Environmental Product Declarations or a combination of sources.

Lifecycle Stages

5. Lifecycle stages considered

An embodied carbon report may consider different stages of a building’s lifecycle. This is often described using lifecycle modules, depending on the assessment framework being used.

• Product stage, including raw material supply, transport and manufacturing
• Construction stage, including transport to site and construction processes
• Use stage impacts, such as replacement, refurbishment and maintenance where included
• End of life stage, including demolition, processing, disposal, recovery or reuse assumptions
• Potential benefits beyond the building lifecycle, where the method allows these to be reported separately

Not every report includes every lifecycle stage. What matters is that the scope is transparent and suitable for the project purpose.

Transparency

6. Assumptions, exclusions and limitations

A useful embodied carbon report should not only show results. It should also explain how those results were reached. This includes key assumptions, exclusions and limitations.

For example, an early stage assessment may rely on assumed structural quantities, generic material data or preliminary specifications. A later stage report may include more refined quantities, supplier information and clearer product selections.

Clear assumptions help project teams understand how much confidence to place in the results and where further information may improve the assessment.

Results

7. Carbon results and hotspots

The report should present the carbon results in a way that is understandable for the project team. This may include total embodied carbon, carbon intensity, breakdowns by building element, lifecycle stage or material type.

One of the most useful outcomes is identifying carbon hotspots. These are the parts of the project where carbon impact is concentrated and where design review may have the greatest potential value.

For many projects, hotspots may sit in structure, concrete, steel, façade systems, glazing, fitout or services. The exact pattern depends on the building type and scope.

Design Response

8. Practical opportunities for review

Depending on the brief, an embodied carbon report may include opportunities to reduce or refine the carbon profile of the project. These should be practical, project specific and considered in relation to design intent, compliance, durability, cost and buildability.

Opportunities may involve material substitution, reducing unnecessary material quantities, reviewing structural efficiency, comparing product options, considering recycled content, retaining existing structure or improving specification clarity.

The goal is not to oversimplify carbon into a list of “good” and “bad” materials. The goal is to understand the project’s actual carbon drivers and make better informed decisions.

Common Misunderstanding

What is not always included?

Not every embodied carbon report includes every possible building impact. Operational energy, occupant behaviour, transport by future users, broader ecological impacts or full lifecycle environmental indicators may sit outside the scope unless specifically required.

This is why embodied carbon reporting should be distinguished from a full Life Cycle Assessment. LCA can consider a wider range of environmental impact categories, while an embodied carbon report is usually carbon focused.

It should also be distinguished from formal NABERS Embodied Emissions reporting, which follows a specific rating pathway.

Project Documents

What information is usually needed?

The information needed depends on the stage and depth of the report. Common documents include architectural drawings, structural drawings, specifications, material schedules, façade information, services information, a bill of quantities and Environmental Product Declarations where available.

A report can often begin with partial information, but the level of confidence will depend on the detail available. For a practical guide, read What Information Is Needed for an Embodied Carbon Report?.

Summary

An embodied carbon report should make material carbon visible and usable.

A good embodied carbon report does more than produce a number. It explains the scope, the information used, the assumptions made, the building elements included and the parts of the project that contribute most to carbon impact.

This gives architects, developers, builders and consultants a clearer basis for design review, specification decisions and broader carbon planning.

Next Step

Need an embodied carbon report for 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.