By Bill Bellico
The construction industry is equipped with many tools to further its mission of fostering sustainable building practices. Assessing the carbon footprint of a building is one major tool aimed at addressing concerns regarding climate change.
Embodied carbon has emerged as a critical consideration in measuring the carbon footprint of building materials. However, this is only a part of a material’s total carbon footprint. The material’s contribution to reducing operational carbon must also be considered.
To fully understand the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a particular material requires considering the CO2 generated during the material’s entire lifecycle, as outlined below. It is important to understand the differences between cradle-to-gate versus cradle-to-grave lifecycle calculations. Some might be surprised to hear that the one more commonly used only gives a partial picture of a material’s true carbon footprint. Whereas embodied carbon accounts for the CO2 emissions during only the cradle-to-gate portion of the material’s lifecycle, operational carbon measures a material’s effect on reducing CO2 emissions during the operation of the building, which coincides with the use stage of a full cradle-to-grave lifecycle assessment.
Reducing the carbon footprint of construction should focus on building products that are long-lasting and resilient, can reduce CO2 emitted during the operation of the building, and are made or partially made of recycled content. A case in point is roofing. By understanding all the contributions to the total carbon footprint of various roofing material choices, construction specifiers are equipped with valuable knowledge to make informed decisions that align with carbon reduction goals while ensuring optimal roofing performance and longevity.
Here is information that can help specifiers navigate the complex landscape of sustainable building and foster a greener built environment through conscious material selection and design decision-making.
What is embodied carbon?
Embodied carbon refers to the total amount of CO2 emitted during the cradle-to-gate portion of the lifecycle of tangible goods of a particular building material. It encompasses the CO2 created from gathering raw materials, transporting them to the site of manufacture, as well as manufacturing. CO2 is generated in all manufacturing processes, including all roofing materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) membranes.
