<aside> ℹ️ Here you will read about several tools to enable reduction of embodied carbon.
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Table of contents
There are several tools that can contribute to embodied carbon accounting.
One of the most relevant is the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3). This is Building Transparency’s online tool, developed by C Change Labs, that allows users to assess and compare the embodied carbon emissions of construction materials. EC3 provides a comprehensive database of building materials and their associated carbon emissions, helping designers and builders make informed decisions to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects.
EC3 stands out from other Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools by incorporating a unique feature - the display of uncertainty bounds and integrating it directly into the comparison tools. Due to the possibility of uncertainty in certain methodologies, Building Transparency defined a set of uncertainty categories that can be quantitatively assessed, and that enable to be at least 80% confident that the actual emissions (not the reported ones) are still below a reasonable limit. The chosen value corresponds to the 80th percentile, which serves as a sensible and conservative estimate, encouraging better EPD data quality and specificity compared to simply relying on the reported average value in the EPD [118].
The Carbon Leadership Forum is an organization at the University of Washington dedicated to “accelerating the transformation of the building sector to radically reduce the embodied carbon in building materials and construction through collective action” [119]. They have developed tools and resources to help designers and builders assess and mitigate embodied carbon in their projects.
One Click LCA is an LCA software tool that helps building professionals (architects, green building consultants, civil engineers, eco-designers, manufacturers, CSR consultants, and builders) assess the life cycle environmental impacts of their projects, including embodied carbon. They offer free upskilling training on LCA to building professionals, focusing on construction LCAs and EPDs [120].
The ECO Platform is a network of European Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) program operators. EPDs issued by ECO Platform members are recognized across Europe and can contribute to various building certifications [121].
The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) is a collaborative effort that aims to assist companies in setting ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. It encourages companies to address embodied carbon in materials such as cement and steel used in their products and projects. By advocating for lower-carbon alternatives, promoting material efficiency, and considering life cycle assessments, SBTi seeks to drive significant reductions in the carbon footprint of these key construction materials, contributing to the construction industry's efforts to mitigate its impact on climate change [122].
As part of its sectorial guidance, SBTi also sets targets for the cement and the steel industry.
For cement, it offers comprehensive guidance tailored to the cement and concrete sector, covering target-setting and process management, specific greenhouse gas accounting criteria, and practical examples illustrating how diverse companies can utilize the tools and recommendations to submit their targets for validation. It provides in-depth insights into establishing targets and addressing industry-specific challenges, facilitating companies in aligning their efforts with sustainability objectives [123].