The impact of embodied carbon across a building’s lifecycle

Experts at the World Business Council for Sustainable Development looked at 6 new constructions across Europe, here is what they found:

Almost half (41%) of the carbon emissions produced across a new building’s life come from embodied carbon. Materials, manufacturing, transport, and construction, amount for 32% of the carbon emissions produced by a building over its lifetime. While 9% of the carbon emissions happen at the very end of its lifecycle from maintenance, refurbishment and demolition.

The remaining 59% carbon emissions come from operating the building. Through energy & water use¹.

Of course, depending on the circumstances and the countries, these figures and proportions may vary. But one thing is for certain: if we want to reduce the carbon impact of a building, we need to assert its emissions over its entire life cycle.

[1] "Net-zero buildings: where do we stand?" - WBCSD. World Business Council for Sustainable Development