The concept of embodied carbon is a dimension of sustainability that is not widely undersood, but increasingly demands the attention of leaders across industries.

Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of a product or service, encompassing its creation, use, and disposal.

What is Embodied Carbon?

Embodied carbon is the hidden environmental impact embedded within the products and services we use daily.  It includes the emissions generated during the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing processes, transportation, and ultimately, the disposal or recycling of the product.

While operational carbon – emissions from day-to-day activities – has long been a focus in sustainability discussions, embodied carbon accounts for a significant portion of the overall carbon footprint.

How is it Measured?

Measuring embodied carbon involves assessing the emissions associated with every stage of a product or service's lifecycle.  Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a commonly employed methodology for quantifying these emissions. LCA considers raw material extraction, transportation, manufacturing, installation, use, and end-of-life processes.

The LCA data is usually derived as a mixture of manufacturing information (eg amount of electricity and aluminium to make 10 million widgets) and third party databases (eg  the electrical grid intensity in a given country and the intensity of raw aluminium from a certain country).  This can be granular and laborious work, that requires assumptions and often will result in data only accurate to a magnitude.

The resulting data provides a comprehensive view of the environmental impact of a product, allowing leaders to identify hotspots and make informed decisions for reducing carbon emissions.

Why is it Important?

The significance of embodied carbon cannot be overstated, particularly as we confront the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. For many items, it constitutes the majority of their carbon footprint, often surpassing the emissions generated during their operational lifespan.

In industries like construction, where long-lasting structures shape our skylines, embodied carbon now comprises more than 50% of a building's entire lifetime carbon use. Recognising this hidden impact is crucial for leaders aiming to make informed, sustainable decisions.

Where is it Relevant in My Business?

This carbon will usually sit within the scope 3 emissions of a business, for which a business is not directly responsible, but can often have control over.  This is also true for EnviroBuild this is

Embodied carbon is relevant across a spectrum of industries, impacting products and services in ways that may not be immediately apparent. In construction, the materials used in building projects, from concrete and steel to insulation and finishes, contribute significantly to the embodied carbon of a structure.

In manufacturing, the choice of raw materials and production processes plays a pivotal role.  Even in the service industry, where tangible products may be limited, the embodied carbon associated with the infrastructure, equipment, and supply chains cannot be ignored.

How Can I Track It?

Tracking embodied carbon in your business is a challenging endeavour. Currently, the methods for tracking are not as straightforward as monitoring operational carbon emissions.

However, embracing transparency and integrating sustainability into the core of your operations can provide a starting point.

1. Implement Life Cycle Assessments:

Engage in comprehensive Life Cycle Assessments for your products or services. Work with experts who can help assess the carbon footprint at every stage, providing a clear understanding of where emissions are generated most. This foundational step offers a roadmap for targeted interventions.

It is also worth pressing for LCA’s to be third party accredited.  This is unfortunate as it creates extra expense within the supply chain, but greenwashing is prevalent and in order to create trust is required.

2. Leverage Industry Tools and Standards:

Utilise industry-specific tools and standards that are emerging to facilitate embodied carbon measurement. Talk to your trade body to see if there is anything sector specific, and if there isn’t consider pushing one forward. Stay informed about evolving standards and adopt tools that align with your business's needs.

3. Collaborate with Suppliers:

Work closely with your suppliers to gain visibility into their practices. Understanding the embodied carbon associated with the raw materials you source is essential. Encourage transparency in your supply chain, promoting a shared commitment to sustainability.

4. How Can I Reduce It?

The journey to reducing embodied carbon is multifaceted, and the first stage is tracking it effectively. Once armed with this knowledge, leaders can implement targeted strategies to minimise the hidden impact within their products and services.  There will likely be a lot of “low hanging fruit”, but it’s not always where you expect to find in.

5. Invest in Sustainable Materials:

At first you’re likely to have trouble finding information on how sustainable a material actually is.  You’ll need to ask suppliers if they have the data available, otherwise the informed choice is often hidden under layers of greenwashing.  This is likely to be frustrating at first.

The solution might involve exploring recycled materials, responsibly sourced inputs, or materials with a smaller carbon footprint. Consider the entire supply chain when making material choices.

6. Optimise Manufacturing Processes:

Examine the manufacturing processes or those of your suppliers to identify opportunities for efficiency and emissions reduction. Invest in technology that enhances energy efficiency, reduces waste, and minimizes emissions. Streamlining operations not only lowers embodied carbon but also often leads to cost savings.

Promote Circular Economy Practices:

Shift from a linear model to a circular economy approach. Design products with durability and recyclability in mind. Encourage customers to return and recycle products at the end of their lifecycle. This not only reduces waste but also minimizes the embodied carbon associated with disposal.

Embrace Renewable Energy:

Transition to renewable energy sources to power your operations. This step directly addresses the emissions generated during the manufacturing phase. Investing in renewable energy not only aligns with sustainability goals but also contributes to long-term operational resilience.

Educate and Engage Stakeholders:

Building a culture of sustainability involves educating and engaging everyone within and connected to your organization. From employees to customers and suppliers, fostering a shared commitment to reducing embodied carbon can have a cascading effect, amplifying the impact of your efforts.

Embodied carbon is the unseen force shaping the environmental impact of our products and services. Leaders who grasp the importance of tracking and reducing this hidden carbon footprint are not just adhering to global sustainability goals; they are future-proofing their businesses.

As we navigate the complexities of a changing climate and heightened environmental consciousness, embracing the challenge of embodied carbon is not just a leadership choice – it's a responsibility to the planet and a strategic imperative for lasting success.

Over time consumers will realise this part of the puzzle, and rather than asking whether something is recycled they’ll look for the embodied carbon.  It’s quite a long journey so getting ahead should result in long term business growth if you have a customer base who are likely to be interested in sustainability.

Dr Aidan Bell is Co-Founder of EnviroBuild

Having worked in sustainability for over 12 years, Dr Aidan Bell is an expert in the field. Seeing anthropogenic climate change as a significant threat to people’s ways of life, Aidan strived to align his everyday work with the mitigation of environmental impact, whilst also changing what he could in his private life by becoming vegan, and turning to cycling instead of driving. 

Dr Aidan Bell studied BSc Chemistry at the University of Nottingham followed by a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Manchester.  He concluded his foray into academia in Universität Bielefeld with postdoctoral research before joining Deloitte as a consultant. 

In 2009, he jointly founded and owned EvoEnergy; a Solar PV construction company which grew rapidly to £25m turnover in his third year. Aidan successfully exited EvoEnergy with a trade sale in 2013 after the government cut support for the solar industry. 

After a variety of advisory roles to sustainable start-ups, Aidan co-founded EnviroBuild in 2015 when James Brueton approached him with the idea to develop an innovative company orientated around greening products and behaviours within the construction industry. 

In collaboration, James and Aidan sought to uncover a mission to source and distribute building materials that offer sustainability alongside cost-effectivity and quality.  EnviroBuild aims to make the sustainable choice the easy choice, experiencing great success and growth since its creation.