The construction industry has made significant strides in reducing operational carbon—the emissions from heating, cooling, lighting, and powering buildings. But there's another, less visible source of emissions that’s gaining overdue attention: embodied carbon.
With building activity projected to double by 2060, the materials we choose today will shape emissions for decades to come. And embodied carbon is no longer optional—it's becoming a procurement metric, disclosure requirement, and climate imperative.
What Is Embodied Carbon?
Embodied carbon is the total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions associated with building materials and construction processes throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.
It includes emissions from:
- Extracting and manufacturing materials
- Transporting materials to the job site
- Construction practices
- Ongoing maintenance
- Demolition, waste transport, and recycling
Unlike operational carbon, which can be reduced over time through energy upgrades and renewables, embodied carbon is locked in as soon as a project is built. That’s why early design and procurement decisions are critical.
Embodied Carbon vs. Operational Carbon
| Embodied Carbon | Operational Carbon |
| Emissions from materials and construction | Emissions from energy used during a building’s lifetime |
| Locked in at time of construction | Can be reduced post-occupancy |
| Requires early design and procurement decisions | Easier to monitor and upgrade |
Thanks to advances in efficiency and green energy, operational emissions are declining. But that’s made embodied carbon a growing share of a building’s total carbon footprint—up to 50% or more.
Why Embodied Carbon Is a Priority
The built environment is responsible for nearly 40% of global CO₂ emissions, with embodied carbon expected to account for half of all new construction emissions between now and 2050.
The urgency is clear:
- Global building stock is set to double by 2060
- Cement—the key ingredient in concrete—accounts for ~7% of global CO₂ emissions
- Once emitted, embodied carbon can’t be retrofitted away
That’s why groups like Architecture 2030, the Carbon Leadership Forum, Structural Engineers 2050 Challenge (SE2050), and the World Green Building Council are calling for embodied carbon to be eliminated from buildings by 2050.
How to Measure Embodied Carbon
Several tools and standards now exist to help measure embodied carbon:
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Third-party verified reports that show the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of specific products.
Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs)
Evaluate a product or system's total environmental impact over its entire lifecycle.
Embodied Carbon Calculator
The Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3), developed by the Carbon Leadership Forum, Microsoft, and Skanska, helps compare materials and make informed decisions early in the design phase.
How to Reduce Embodied Carbon
Here are practical strategies for project teams, specifiers, and material producers:
1. Specify Low Carbon Concrete Mixes
Concrete is one of the largest contributors to embodied carbon. Use performance-based specifications to allow for innovations like:
- Supplementary cementitious materials (e.g., fly ash, slag, calcined clays)
- CO₂ mineralization technologies like CarbonCure
Watch our webinar on performance-based specs →
2. Reuse and Recycle Materials
Use reclaimed materials like crushed concrete, brick, or metal. Salvaged materials have a lower embodied carbon footprint because emissions were already spent producing them.
3. Reduce Finishing Layers
Exposed structural materials—like polished concrete floors—reduce the need for finishes like carpet or tile, lowering overall material use and emissions.
Unlike operational carbon emissions, which can be reduced over time with building energy upgrades and the use of renewable energy, embodied carbon emissions are locked in place as soon as a building is built. It is critical that we get a handle on embodied carbon now.
Architecture 2030
Embodied Carbon in Decision-Making
Embodied carbon is increasingly being used to compare building materials, justify procurement decisions, and demonstrate ESG progress. For example:
- Projects using low embodied carbon concrete can score points in LEED, WELL, and other certifications
- Government and corporate buyers are prioritizing suppliers who provide EPDs
- TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) models increasingly factor in carbon risk
This shift gives concrete producers and material manufacturers a competitive edge—especially those who offer verifiable low carbon solutions.
Getting Started with CarbonCure
Whether you're a designer, contractor, or corporate sustainability lead, embodied carbon is a powerful metric to drive change and reduce climate impact.
CarbonCure’s technologies help producers reduce embodied carbon in concrete by permanently storing CO₂ inside the mix—delivering measurable results without compromising strength or performance.
For corporate sustainability and procurement teams:
Low carbon concrete can help meet Scope 3 goals, support ESG targets, and strengthen your supply chain.
Explore CarbonCure’s Embodied Carbon Hub →
For concrete producers and AEC professionals:
Reduce embodied carbon in building and infrastructure projects without making compromises.
Access procurement tools and spec resources →
Fly Ash and Innovation in Concrete
Reducing Embodied Carbon in Buildings with Low-Carbon Concrete