In the built space, embodied carbon refers to the total carbon emissions over the lifetime of a building that do not relate to its operation, including extracting and processing the raw materials used in a project, transporting them to site, the construction process itself, the maintenance of the property, and its eventual demolition.

Speaking at Scotland’s inaugural Green Home Festival, David remarked that much of the conversation around decarbonisation and the path to net zero has focused on operational carbon emissions — those generated by powering, heating, and cooling buildings.

However, he believes that more attention should be paid to embodied carbon to reach net zero goals.

Currently, 23% of carbon emissions from the built environment are a result of embodied carbon, but UKGBC’s trajectory calculations indicate this will form over half of emissions in the sector by 2035.

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David stated that the solution to reducing embodied emissions lies first with legislative change.

“Our own analysis at UKGBC indicates that across the UK, embodied carbon emissions must be slashed by more than half in the next decade if we’re to remain on track for net zero carbon by 2050.

“Despite this, measurement and mitigation across construction projects remain voluntary, so we are advocating that the government takes action first to mandate the consistent measurement of embodied carbon, followed by limits introduced at the earliest opportunity, alongside support for the industrial decarbonisation of supply chains.”

The Green Home Festival — part of the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe — is the brainchild of the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), a coalition of Scotland's construction trade and professional bodies.