Bringing embodied carbon upfront - World Green Building ...
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Bringing embodied carbon upfront Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
2 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 3
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
World Green Building Council
Acknowledgements
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is a global network leading the transformation of the built
environment, to make it healthier and more sustainable. Collectively, with our Green Building Councils (GBCs)
in around 70 countries, we accelerate action to deliver on the ambition of the Paris Agreement, by eliminating
Report team
the buildings and construction sector´s emissions by 2050.
We are committed to green buildings for everyone, everywhere to build a better future. World Green Building Council Ramboll
Author: Matthew Adams, Project Coordinator, Advancing Net Zero Christine Collin
Author: Victoria Burrows, Director, Advancing Net Zero Xavier Le Den
Our approach to this report Author: Stephen Richardson, Head of Projects, Europe Regional Network Lars Ostenfeld Riemann
The research for this report has been conducted in three phases. In the first phase, a detailed literature James Drinkwater, Director, Europe Regional Network Samy Porteron
review and expert interviews were carried out. These were followed in the second phase by a series of
stakeholder workshops that applied visioning and backcasting methods to identify possible pathways to Cristina Gamboa, CEO Andreas Qvist Secher
achieving net zero embodied carbon. Finally, in the third phase, the drafting of the report has been reviewed
and consulted on by hundreds of experts and stakeholders from across the value chain in order to refine
and strengthen our proposals.
Report funders Report contributors Technical partner
European Climate We Mean Business (WMB) Ramboll
Foundation (ECF)
WorldGBC European Delivery partner
Children's Investment Regional Network
Fund Foundation (CIFF) C40 Cities
Contact information
Web www.worldgbc.org
Twitter @worldgbc
Email office@worldgbc.org
Advancing Net Zero Alliance HQE-GBC (France) Hong Kong GBC
Indian GBC
GBCA (Australia)
Green Building GBC Brasil GBC Indonesia
London, United Kingdom office Toronto, Canada office Council (GBC) Canada GBC Irish GBC
c/o UK Green Building Council Attention: World Green Building Council China Acandemy of Building GBC Italia
The Building Centre 401 Richmond Street West, Suite 236
Steering Committee Research (CABR) Jordan GBC
26 Store Street Toronto, Ontario Croatia GBC New Zealand GBC
London M5V 3A8 DGNB (Germany) Norwegian GBC
WC1E 7BT Canada Dutch GBC Singapore GBC
United Kingdom Emirates GBC GBC South Africa
GBC España Sweden GBC
GBC Finland UKGBC
Guatemala GBC USGBC
Disclaimer
This report is written by staff from WorldGBC, with support from C40 Cities and Ramboll, Other contributors We would also like to acknowledge the contributions made by
the people and organisations who provided expert interviews,
and contributions from the Green Building Councils and other organisations listed. The views
expressed in this report are those of WorldGBC and do not necessarily reflect the view of all to the report participated in our workshops and provided feedback during
consultation and report drafting.
other parties named.
A full list of contributors can be found at our website:
© World Green Building Council, September 2019 www.worldgbc.org/embodied-carbon5
Glossary....................................................................................... 5
Glossary
Executive summary ..................................................................... 7
Background and context – the climate emergency........................................................................7
Bringing embodied carbon ‘upfront’................................................................................................7
Our vision – going further and faster to decarbonise across the whole lifecycle........................7
Our goals – the purpose of this report.............................................................................................8 A variety of different terms and definitions are used in connection with greenhouse gas
Achieving our vision – collaboration, market demand, and what it means for you.....................8 emissions from different stages of the lifecycle of products, buildings and infrastructure. Each
Current global leadership – a catalyst for market transformation...............................................9 term may include different interpretations and meanings across different sectors of the market
and across countries and regions. This glossary defines what is meant by certain key terms
Net zero embodied carbon – definition and principles.................................................................9
used within this report. In the following definitions we make reference to the lifecycle stages or
Converting barriers into opportunities – key steps towards net zero embodied carbon............11
modules defined in the widely-adopted European standard EN 15978 shown in figure 1.
Taking action now – how you can respond to the climate emergency.........................................11
Figure 2: Summary of all stakeholder specific goals......................................................................12
Supplementary
Endorsements.............................................................................. 14 Use stage embodied carbon*
information beyond
the building life cycle
Our vision..................................................................................... 16 A1-3 A4-5 B1-7 C1-4 D
Driving the shift towards whole value chain collaboration............................................................16 PRODUCT CONSTRUCTION USE stage END OF LIFE Benefits and loads
stage PROCESS stage stage beyond the
Whole life carbon*
Embodied carbon*
Our goals ...........................................................................................................................................17 building life cycle
B1 B2 B3 B4 B5
Time value of carbon and the importance of upfront emissions..................................................17 A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 C1 C2 C3 C4
Refurbishment
Replacement
Maintenance
Opportunities for reducing embodied carbon.................................................................................19
Repair
Raw material supply
installation process
Use
Waste processing
Reuse
De-construction
Manufacturing
Construction-
Our definition......................................................................................................................................20
demolition
Transport
Transport
Transport
Disposal
Recovery
Carbon reduction potential...............................................................................................................20
Recycle
Our principles.....................................................................................................................................21
B6 Operational energy use
State of the market....................................................................... 22
Upfront carbon* Operational carbon* End of life carbon* Beyond the lifecycle*
Understanding embodied carbon today..........................................................................................22
Rising demand for construction materials and the case for action .............................................22
*Terms used in this report and B7 Operational water use
Key sources of embodied carbon – construction elements and materials..................................22 defined in the glossary below
Assessment methods, low carbon design tools and data.............................................................27 Out of scope
Current leadership on embodied carbon.........................................................................................31
Figure 1: Terminology used in this report cross-referenced to terms and lifecycle stages defined in EN 15978
Barriers and opportunities............................................................ 35
Key areas where solutions are needed............................................................................................35 Carbon emissions Used in this report to refer to all • Embodied carbon Carbon emissions
Awareness and demand....................................................................................................................35 emissions of greenhouse gases. Their global warming associated with materials and construction
potential (GWP) is quantified in units of carbon dioxide processes throughout the whole lifecycle
Theory of change......................................................................... 37 equivalence. A kilogram of carbon dioxide therefore of a building or infrastructure. Embodied
How change in our sector will happen.............................................................................................37 has a GWP of 1 kgCO2e. carbon therefore includes: material
Enabling change – the key drivers...................................................................................................38 extraction (module A1), transport to
• Beyond the lifecycle Carbon emissions or manufacturer (A2), manufacturing (A3),
Calls to action .............................................................................. 39 emissions savings incurred due to reuse or transport to site (A4), construction (A5),
Stakeholder specific pathways for tackling embodied carbon......................................................39 recycling of materials or emissions avoided use phase (B1, eg concrete carbonation
due to using waste as a fuel source for but excluding operational carbon),
Civil society – NGOs, networks and researchers ...........................................................................41 another process (module D). Consideration maintenance (B2), repair (B3), replacement
Cities...................................................................................................................................................48 of module D is key for maximising resource (B4), refurbishment (B5), deconstruction
Business – investors in manufacturing and property, asset owners and occupiers ..................52 efficient uses of materials at the end of life. (C1), transport to end of life facilities (C2),
Under forthcoming updates to European processing (C3), disposal (C4). Benefits
Business – developers & contractors..............................................................................................55 standards, it will be mandatory for product beyond the system boundary (D) should also
Business – designers ......................................................................................................................58 EPDs to report module D alongside other be reported separately to modules A-C.
Business – manufacturers ..............................................................................................................62 lifecycle stages in most cases, and will also
In the report we refer to the embodied
be required for building assessments.
Join us......................................................................................... 67 carbon of both buildings and infrastructure6 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 7
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Executive
summary
Background and context – of natural resources, contributing to an expected
doubling of the total global consumption of raw
the climate emergency materials by around the middle of the century,
significantly increasing the sector’s emissions and
We are now in a climate emergency. The landmark climate impact.
2018 special report from the UN Intergovernmental Carbon emissions are released not only during
Panel on Climate Change (IPCC 2018 report), Global operational life but also during the manufacturing,
Warming of 1.5ºC, presented a stark picture of the transportation, construction and end of life phases
dramatically different world we will inhabit if global of all built assets – buildings and infrastructure.
average temperatures rise by 2ºC compared to a These emissions, commonly referred to as
1.5ºC scenario. The catastrophic breakdown of embodied carbon, have largely been overlooked
climate associated with the difference between historically but contribute around 11% of all global
as well as the embodied carbon of individual Carbon footprint Used occasionally in the report to these two scenarios is likely to result in entire
materials. denote the carbon emissions caused directly and carbon emissions. Carbon emissions released
eco-systems being destroyed. And the negative before the building or infrastructure begins
indirectly by a person, organisation or event. economic impact globally of additional heating and
• End of life carbon The carbon emissions to be used, sometimes called upfront carbon,
associated with deconstruction/demolition cooling demand is expected to increase fourfold will be responsible for half of the entire carbon
Heavy industries Carbon intensive industries which by the end of the century. The consequences will
(C1), transport from site (C2), waste footprint of new construction between now and
manufacture materials and products. These include be long lasting and, in some cases, irreversible.
processing (C3) and disposal (C4) phases of 2050, threatening to consume a large part of our
aluminium, cement and concrete, glass, gypsum, This emergency calls for urgent action now to
a building or infrastructure's lifecycle which remaining carbon budget.
chemicals (eg in plastics), steel, ceramics, mineral radically transform current unsustainable models of
occur after its use.
fibres, clay, lime and asphalt. consumption. As operational carbon is reduced, embodied carbon
• Operational carbon The emissions will continue to grow in importance as a proportion
associated with energy used (B6) to Lifecycle assessment (LCA) LCA is a systematic The built environment sector has a vital role to of total emissions. While we must continue to focus
operate the building or in the operation set of procedures for compiling and examining the play in responding to the climate emergency. With on addressing operational carbon we must now
of infrastructure. inputs and outputs of materials and energy, and the buildings currently responsible for 39% of global rapidly increase efforts to tackle embodied carbon
associated environmental impacts directly attributable carbon emissions, decarbonising the sector is one emissions at a global scale, too.
• Upfront carbon The emissions caused in of the most cost effective ways to mitigate the
to a building, infrastructure, product or material
the materials production and construction
phases (A1-5) of the lifecycle before the
throughout its lifecycle (ISO 14040: 2006). worst effects of climate breakdown.
Our vision – going further
In 2018, in line with the ambitions of the Paris
building or infrastructure begins to be used.
In contrast to other categories of emissions
Material passport Holds data attributes relating to
the characteristics of a material or product. They
Agreement and to accelerate the built environment and faster to decarbonise
listed here, these emissions have already
been released into the atmosphere before
are valuable for end of life planning to evaluate the
potential for reuse, recovery and recycling. In some
sector towards a 1.5ºC pathway, World Green
Building Council (WorldGBC) launched the Net Zero across the whole lifecycle
the building is occupied or the infrastructure Carbon Buildings Commitment. Our aim was to
cases they may be combined at building level as The urgent need to go further and faster requires a
begins operation. inspire and promote advanced climate leadership
a bank that encompasses all materials/products new response and a new vision for our sector. This
focused on achieving net zero operational carbon
• Use stage embodied carbon Emissions contained within the building. vision sees a highly connected value chain radically
at individual building level and at mass scale from
associated with materials and processes reducing both embodied and operational carbon,
businesses and government. Yet operational carbon
needed to maintain the building or Performance-based approaches Where the improving wider lifecycle environmental impacts,
emissions are only part of the story.
infrastructure during use such as for consideration and selection of embodied carbon and contributing as effectively as possible to the
refurbishments. These are additional to
operational carbon emitted due to heating,
reduction measures are guided by LCA-based
calculations of the outcomes. Bringing embodied UN Sustainable Development Goals. To achieve our
vision, we must take urgent action to tackle upfront
cooling and power etc.
Prescriptive approaches Where the selection of carbon ‘upfront’ carbon while designing with whole life carbon in
mind. We have set timeframes for our vision in
• Whole life carbon Emissions from all embodied carbon reduction measures is based on a response to global climate goals and demonstrating
lifecycle phases, encompassing both As the world’s population approaches 10 billion,
set of standard approaches that are defined using best the global building stock is expected to double in the level of ambition needed.
embodied and operational carbon together practice principles of low carbon design and material
(ie modules A1 to C4, with module D size. Without drastic changes to the way our sector
selection, without conducting bespoke embodied operates, this growth will consume vast amounts
reported separately). carbon calculations.8 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 9
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Our vision:
Achieving our vision –
By 2030, all new buildings, infrastructure
collaboration, market
and renovations will have at least 40% less demand, and what it
embodied carbon with significant upfront
carbon reduction, and all new buildings means for you
must be net zero operational carbon. To date, very few buildings or infrastructure assets
can claim to be fully net zero embodied carbon
By 2050, new buildings, infrastructure and and in line with our vision. Our sector is highly
renovations will have net zero embodied dispersed and relies on a wide range of materials
carbon, and all buildings, including existing with long and complex supply chains. Many of the
buildings, must be net zero operational most widely used construction materials are from
carbon. carbon-intensive heavy industries.
Many leading organisations within these industries
and indeed in the wider sector have taken bold
Our goals – the purpose
action on embodied carbon already. Our research
into the state of the market has shown that many of
of this report the actions that will help lead the transition can, and
indeed must, be taken now.
To support and promote our vision this report Achieving net zero embodied carbon for the
issues an urgent call to action designed to bring entire sector will require far greater collaboration
the whole building and construction value chain along the whole value chain to support efforts
together. We aim to: to decarbonise industry and to develop and
deploy more low embodied carbon alternatives.
• Spark a global conversation around the Such collaboration allows businesses and
value and importance of reaching net organisations to identify and have confidence in
zero embodied carbon; adopt a common the environmental, social and financial benefits of
taking a leadership position in the transition to a
Current global leadership Net zero embodied carbon
language, definition, principles, milestones
and feasible actions that can be used by all
decarbonised built environment. – a catalyst for market – definition and principles
parts of the value chain. This is a radical transition – driving it will require
much greater demand from the market as well
transformation As a way of bringing greater clarity to our aims and
objectives, WorldGBC has worked with our member
• Communicate the urgency of, and set as rapid scaling of solutions by the supply chain. Although embodied carbon may be a new challenge GBCs and other valued partners to define net zero
deadlines for, goals and milestones to Large amounts of additional renewable energy for many in the sector, leading businesses, embodied carbon.
achieve net zero embodied carbon globally; are needed, and some of the solutions we will researchers and organisations around the world
rely on are currently only at demonstration stage, have been working on this topic for over a decade. Net zero embodied carbon should be
support the development of regional, national including carbon capture for utilisation and storage. It is thanks to their leadership and innovation that pursued as part of a whole lifecycle approach
and sectoral roadmaps. By stimulating market demand we will accelerate tools and data for calculating embodied carbon are to carbon reduction that includes net zero
investment in actions that will lead to increased becoming increasingly available and accessible.
• Stimulate market demand and facilitate competitiveness, improved access to solutions and operational carbon.
radical whole value chain collaboration; a wider range of strategies for achieving net zero More and more low embodied carbon products
highlight current, realistic leadership actions embodied carbon. and solutions are entering the market, and flagship Our definition of net zero embodied carbon
that can rapidly reduce embodied carbon and projects are having significant impacts using in practice:
Demand-side actors within the value chain, technology available today. Green Building Councils
demonstrate how full decarbonisation can be including investors, developers and designers, (GBCs) around the world, from Asia Pacific to A net zero embodied carbon building (new or
achieved by working together. must work together with those on the supply side – Europe and North America, are already driving renovated) or infrastructure asset is highly
the contractors and materials manufacturers. They change in their markets by incorporating criteria
• Advocate for policy and regulation on resource efficient with upfront carbon minimised
will need strong policy and regulatory support and for embodied carbon into their sustainability
net zero embodied carbon; demonstrate access to finance. to the greatest extent possible and all remaining
certifications. And leading city, state and national
support for action from industry and highlight governments are implementing policy and regulation embodied carbon reduced or, as a last resort,
leading regulation and policy globally to initiatives for meeting ambitious embodied carbon offset in order to achieve net zero across the
demonstrate feasibility. reduction targets. lifecycle.10 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 11
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
This new definition makes clear that net zero • Education addressing foundational gaps in skills,
embodied carbon should be pursued as part of data and benchmarks globally through knowledge
a strategy to decarbonise the whole lifecycle. sharing, training and transparency for both
It also recognises the urgency of addressing prescriptive and performance-based pathways
upfront emissions, which are being released into
• Innovation creating space for new business
the atmosphere now, as we continue to extract
models, new technologies and circular patterns
and manufacture materials and products for
to evolve and thrive in response to financial and
construction. The definition builds on internationally
policy incentives
accepted standards for lifecycle assessment of
buildings and infrastructure and the terms in bold • Acceleration fostering and leveraging proven
are further defined in the glossary section on page industry-wide demand drivers and market forces
5 of the report. including voluntary, financial and policy measures
The following foundational principles can be • Regulation mandating reductions in embodied
followed by both demand-side and supply-side carbon that are aligned with 1.5ºC compliant
organisations in line with our vision, goals and decarbonisation pathways
definitions.
1. Prevent – avoid embodied carbon from the Taking action now – how
outset by considering alternative strategies to
deliver the desired function you can respond to the
2. Reduce and optimise – evaluate each design climate emergency
choice in terms of the upfront carbon reductions
and as part of a whole lifecycle approach This report sets out ambitious high-level pathways
for business, government and civil society to
3. Plan for the future – take steps to avoid future follow in order to reduce embodied emissions
embodied carbon during and at end of life associated with our sector. A summary of goals
4. Offset – as a last resort, offset residual and target dates for key actors in the value chain is
embodied carbon emissions within the project given in Figure 2. A vital first step – one that some
or organisational boundary where possible or if leading countries and sectors have already taken
necessary through verified offset schemes – is to develop detailed roadmaps for complete
decarbonisation of both embodied and operational
Converting barriers into carbon by 2050. We are committed to supporting
our network of nearly 70 GBCs and their 37,000
opportunities – key members around the world in achieving this over
the coming years.
steps towards net zero We call on you, and all actors across the whole
embodied carbon value chain, to help transform our sector from a
major cause into a major solution to the climate
We believe our vision of a completely decarbonised emergency, securing a safe future for this
sector, including net zero embodied carbon, can be generation and generations to come.
achieved through concerted and coordinated action. Join us and act now!
For such a radical transition to happen, business,
government and civil society must all assume
leadership roles, with each contributing to the
following enabling actions:
• Collaboration across the whole value chain,
including both public and private sectors, so
as to create a common vision and establish
regional, national and sectoral roadmaps
• Communication raising awareness about the
importance of embodied carbon and sharing
best practice strategies and leadership
examples of progress towards achieving
our vision12 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 13
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Figure 2: Summary of all stakeholder specific goals
Non-government Material
organisations, Policymakers Investors Developers Designers
manufacturers
networks and Governments Cities
researchers
2020
All GBCs and relevant All levels of government Cities start the process All investors commit to All developers commit to relevant All designers commit to relevant All manufacturers and suppliers
NGOs/networks convene all start to develop a of developing a strategy relevant industry industry roadmaps and require industry roadmaps and have commit to relevant industry
sectors to co-create national strategy to achieve net to achieve net zero roadmaps targeting disclosure of supply chain data for integrated low embodied carbon roadmaps and have developed
roadmaps to net zero zero embodied carbon embodied carbon embodied carbon structural elements design at conceptual design stage carbon reduction targets and with
timelines set to achieve net zero
embodied carbon by 2050
2025 2025
Implement standardised embodied All governments implement Cities adopt a set of embodied Investors only finance new projects All developers set embodied carbon All design companies publicly share All manufacturers have declared
carbon calculation methods, design embodied carbon targets for new carbon reduction targets with a incl. buildings, large renovations, reduction targets and require lifecycle assessment data the embodied carbon of the top
tools and guidance public buildings, large public clear trajectory towards net zero infrastructure and manufacturing mandatory disclosure of supply 40% of their standard product
renovations and infrastructure standards plants that are compliant with chain data and track construction Design companies propose best portfolio by carbon footprint via
Contribute to establishment of practice embodied carbon
databases and help set benchmarks carbon reduction targets site emissions EPDs
reduction targets and implement
All GBCs/NGOs certification circularity principles
schemes include embodied
carbon requirements
2030
All governments have implemented Cities have implemented policies All construction sites All manufacturers have
2035 policies that set progressive
embodied carbon reduction targets
that set progressive embodied
carbon reduction targets and
are highly resource and
energy efficient and,
declared their entire
standard product
and specify when net zero embodied specify when net zero embodied along with site-related portfolios via EPDs
carbon will become mandatory Design companies All electricity is from
2040
carbon will become mandatory in Investors only finance new projects transport processes, Developers only build
line with national roadmaps incl. buildings, large renovations, are powered by projects that have net propose requirements renewable or low carbon
infrastructure and manufacturing renewable energy zero embodied carbon for all projects to be sources (manufacturing
2045 plants that are net zero embodied 100% net zero
embodied carbon
and transport)
carbon
2050 All forms of energy used are
from renewable or low carbon
sources and all process carbon
emissions are mitigated
Roadmaps Policy
Tools Finance Common vision goal in 2050
Data Disclosure
Certification Renewable energy
Build/ develop
Target setting/
benchmarks Design
EPD Leadership action14 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 15
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Endorsements
• JLL • Schneider Electric
• Knauf Insulation • SEGRO
• LafargeHolcim • Shaw Contract
The following organisations endorse the vision and ambition of this report, • Landsec • Signify
recognising the need for coordinated action across the whole value chain to achieve
• Lemay • Skanska Group
this. Their endorsement is a call to others to join them and work together to fully
decarbonise buildings and infrastructure by 2050. • Majid Al Futtaim Holding • Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP
• Mantle • SSAB AB
• Aalto University, Department • Climate Bonds Initiative
of Architecture • Microsoft • Stanhope PLC
• Cundall
• ABN AMRO Bank • Ministry of the Environment, Finland • Statsbygg (Norwegian Directorate of
• Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited
• Morgan Sindall Group Public Construction and Property)
• AECOM • Danish Building Research Institute,
• Morrison Hershfield • Stora Enso
• AESG Aalborg University
• Multiplex Global • Surbana Jurong Consultants Pte Ltd
• AkzoNobel • EDGE ENVIRONMENT
• New York City Mayor's Office of • The Carbon Trust
• Atelier Ten • EllisDon
Sustainability • The Climate Group
• Australian Sustainable Built • Energy Research Institute @ Nanyang
• One Click LCA / Bionova Ltd • thinkstep ANZ
Environment Council Technological University
• Pan-United Concrete Pty Ltd • Uponor Corporation
• Avison Young • Energy Transitions Commission
• Ramboll • Urban Green Council
• B+H Architects • Entra ASA
• RDT Pacific • Volvo Construction Equipment
• Barratt Developments PLC • European Bank for Reconstruction
and Development • RICS • We Mean Business
• Bennetts Associates
• Frasers Property Australia • Royal BAM Group • Willmott Dixon
• Building Research Establishment
(BRE) • GECA: Sustainability & Environmental • Royal Institute of British Architects • World Business Council for
• C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group Certification Program • Ruukki Construction Oy Sustainable Development
• Canary Wharf Group • Global GreenTag International Pty Ltd • Saint-Gobain • WSP
• Carbon Leadership Forum • Global Infrastructure Basel
Foundation
• CEI-Bois
• Google
• CEN/TC350, Sustainability
of Construction Works • Grosvenor
• City Developments Limited • HeidelbergCement
• City of Melbourne • Infrastructure Sustainability
Council of Australia
• City of Sydney
• Integral Group
• City of Vancouver
• Interface
• Climate Agency, City of Oslo
• International Living Future Institute16 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 17
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Our vision
Driving the shift towards whole
value chain collaboration
vision for our sector to become fully decarbonised
and to contribute as effectively as possible to the
UN Sustainable Development Goals.
While our vision is ambitious, we are already taking
significant steps towards achieving it by addressing
net zero operational carbon. In May 2017, WorldGBC
launched the call to action report From Thousands
to Billions, outlining the action that business,
government and NGOs must take to accelerate
operational carbon. In the light of the IPCC report’s
urgency, and the need for full decarbonisation Time value of carbon and
the market towards net zero carbon buildings. The
report called for all buildings to operate at net zero
of the sector, we now believe the time is right to
move to a whole life approach. This will address
the importance of upfront
carbon by 2050, and all new buildings from 2030. the remaining 11%5 of emissions from building
embodied carbon and rapidly transform the industry
emissions
so that both net zero embodied carbon and net zero Our vision for 2050 is for the whole lifecycle of all
Our vision: operational carbon become globally achievable. buildings and infrastructure to be net zero carbon
Embodied carbon has typically been overlooked in (ie net zero whole life carbon). This means net
By 2030, all new buildings, infrastructure the past, but as operational carbon emissions are zero during operation and for all embodied carbon
and renovations will have at least 40% less reduced, embodied carbon will continue to grow in emitted during the whole lifecycle. The scale of this
embodied carbon with significant upfront importance as a proportion of total emissions. task is considerable, and we are already at a critical
point in time.
carbon reduction, and all new buildings
To deliver the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and
keep global average temperature rise well below must be net zero operational carbon. Our goals The IPCC report highlights the urgent need to
achieve radical emissions reductions in the next
2ºC, all sectors of the economy must decarbonise1. To achieve our vision of catalysing market action,
By 2050, new buildings, infrastructure and decade to avoid catastrophic climate breakdown.
Currently, buildings account for 39% of energy- we have set out four key goals:
renovations will have net zero embodied With operational carbon still the major portion
related global CO2 emissions2, demonstrating
carbon, and all buildings, including existing • park a global conversation around the
S of our sector’s impact, we must not accept low
the importance of the building and construction
value and importance of reaching net operational performance levels now, that will need
sector in fulfilling these ambitions. Of this sector buildings, must be net zero operational zero embodied carbon; adopt a common costly upgrades in the future – indeed, we should
contribution, 28% comes from operational carbon carbon. language, definition, principles, milestones scale up decarbonisation efforts for operational
with 11%3 arising from the energy used to produce
and feasible actions that can be used by all carbon (eg via energy efficiency technologies,
building and construction materials, usually referred
parts of the value chain. grid decarbonisation). While embodied carbon
to as embodied carbon.
In order to facilitate this shift, GBCs and WorldGBC currently accounts for 11% of emissions globally,
• ommunicate the urgency of, and set
C
The IPCC 2018 report paints a stark picture of how have been developing tools and resources, as operational carbon is reduced and development
deadlines for, goals and milestones for
the difference between 1.5°C and 2°C of global including certification schemes and the Net Zero accelerates in parts of the world including China and
achieving net zero embodied carbon
warming greatly increases the risks of catastrophic Carbon Buildings Commitment. The Commitment Africa; it is estimated that more than half of total
globally; support the development of
climate breakdown. The difference between formalises initial calls to action in order to carbon emissions from all global new construction
regional, national and sectoral roadmaps.
these two scenarios is likely to result in entire promote and inspire advanced climate leadership between 2020 and 2050 will be due to upfront
eco-systems being destroyed. And the negative in decarbonising the operational emissions of • timulate market demand and facilitate
S emissions6 from new building construction and, to a
economic impact globally of additional heating and the built environment at individual building and radical whole value chain collaboration; lesser degree, from building renovations in Europe in
cooling demand is expected to increase fourfold by mass scale from businesses and government. It highlight current, realistic leadership actions particular.
the end of the century. The consequences will be sets a level of ambition intended to create mass that can rapidly reduce embodied carbon,
long lasting and, in some cases, irreversible. The demand, stimulating the market to deliver net zero and demonstrate how full decarbonisation
report calls for ‘rapid and far-reaching’4 economic operational carbon solutions at scale. can be achieved by working together.
transitions to limit global warming to 1.5°C • Advocate for policy and regulation on net
We will continue to address the 28% of emissions
We must radically increase the pace and scope of attributed to operational carbon, together with zero embodied carbon; demonstrate support
decarbonisation efforts, collaborating across the our GBC network, and, as shown in our Advancing for action from industry and highlight leading
whole construction value chain to achieve the scale Net Zero Status Report 2019, we have been able regulation and policy globally to demonstrate
of change needed. That is why we have created a to shift the market significantly towards net zero feasibility.
1
Climate Change 2013: The Physical Science Basis – Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 5
Data from Global Status Report 2018, Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction & International Energy Agency
2
Data from Global Status Report 2018, Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction & International Energy Agency. 6
Architecture 2030, Total Carbon Emissions of Global New Construction every year from 2020 - 2050
3
These figures may be higher as they do not include transport to site and chemical conversion process emissions released during the manufacture of a number of key construction
materials.
4
IPCC, 2018: Strengthening and Implementing the Global Response. In Global Warming of 1.5°C.18 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 19
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Beyond the Embodied
lifecycle carbon
Carbon emissions associated
Carbon emissions or emissions with materials and
End of life savings incurred due to reuse
or recycling of materials or
construction processes
throughout the whole
carbon emissions avoided due to
exporting renewable energy
lifecycle of a building or
infrastructure
The carbon emitted during or using waste as a fuel It is therefore imperative that we rapidly increase There are many inspiring examples of existing
demolition or deconstruction source for another
and processing of materials process actions that achieve early emissions savings in the leadership in this area from across the sector.
for reuse, recycling or final building lifecycle because these are using up our Organisations right across the value chain are
disposal carbon budget now. This is sometimes referred to taking important steps towards net zero embodied
as the time value of carbon7 – it provides a stark carbon by drastically reducing upfront emissions
and compelling reason to address embodied carbon and implementing whole life carbon thinking. In
in addition to operational carbon and to prioritise this report we build on these examples, setting
ply al
Dispo
sup ateri
upfront emissions from materials and construction out ambitious yet achievable actions to highlight
Pro
urgently. Once a building or infrastructure enters the value and importance of achieving net
ces
m
sal
Tr t
or
Raw
an operation, nothing more can be done about its zero embodied carbon. By communicating the
sin
sp p
or ns
g
a upfront emissions. urgent need and associated deadlines for these
t Tr
Decons
tructio actions we hope to accelerate the development
n While minimising upfront carbon is vitally important,
of regional, national and sectoral roadmaps for
we must not risk creating adverse or negative
Manufacturing use by the public, private and non-profit sectors.
outcomes for both operational carbon and whole
Our aim is to foster the right conditions for deep
life carbon. We therefore need to be conscious
ment collaboration across the value chain and to promote
Replace t Tr of the impacts that our upfront carbon decisions
en an integrated strategies for embodied and operational
hm sp will have on whole life carbon. This is especially
fur
b i s
pa
ir or
t Upfront true for material selection where each material
decarbonisation.
Use nce
Re
Co
Re
carbon
Opportunities for reducing
ns
represents impacts and reduction opportunities
a
Energy use
en
tru
throughout the whole lifecycle, and we must design
int
The emissions caused in
cti
Ma
the materials production with these in mind. A low embodied carbon building
embodied carbon
on
and construction phases
of the lifecycle before the that performs poorly in operation creates adverse
building or infrastructure financial, environmental and social implications. To Embodied carbon emissions are affected by many
begins to be used achieve our vision, we cannot address one without factors. These range from the type and volume of
Use stage the other and so must take urgent action to tackle structure installed, the materials used and their
embodied Operational upfront carbon while designing with whole life associated carbon intensity of manufacturing
carbon carbon in mind.
carbon processes to the modes and distances by which
materials are transported and the processes by
Carbon emissions associated By taking a holistic approach, we must maintain
with materials and processes a concerted focus on transformational pathways which these materials are constructed, maintained
required for the upkeep of the for both net zero embodied carbon and net zero and finally removed and treated at the end of life.
built asset throughout its
lifecycle operational carbon. An explicit focus on embodied Some materials also absorb or sequester carbon
carbon is essential to accelerate and scale up at different lifecycle stages, which can offset
rapid action needed through targeted policy tools, emissions from other lifecycle stages. Opportunities
instruments and methodologies. Only then can we for reducing or eliminating embodied carbon
achieve the large scale design and manufacturing are equally varied and will differ between types
Figure 3: Project lifecycle showing both the scope of the definition and need for whole life consideration. transformations needed over the next three of projects as well as by region. In general, the
decades. greatest savings can usually be realised at the
earliest stages of a project. As a project progresses,
it becomes more challenging and more costly to
make design changes in order to reduce embodied
carbon (see figure 4).
7
Carbon Leadership Forum (2017): Time value of carbon.20 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 21
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Carbon reduction potential Our principles 1. Prevent
Consider embodied carbon emissions and reduction
The best way to reduce embodied carbon strategies from the outset, whether for a whole
is through prevention. As figure 4 shows, by project or for a single product. Question the need
building nothing we altogether eliminate the to use materials at all, considering alternative
Build nothing strategies for delivering the desired function, such
100%
Explore alternatives potential for embodied carbon emissions.
as increasing utilisation of existing assets through
Taking the ideas of figure 4 a step further, we renovation or reuse.
have defined four key principles that support
Build less our goals. These principles can be applied by
Maximise use of existing assets all stakeholders, regardless of their position in 2. Reduce and optimise
the value chain, the nature of their project or
CARBON REDUCTION POTENTIAL
Use low carbon design guidance and calculation
product, and the region they operate in. tools and benchmarks to evaluate each design
choice in terms of upfront emission reductions and
as part of a whole life approach.
• Apply design approaches that minimise the
Build clever quantity of new material required to deliver
Optimise material usage and design
the desired function
with low carbon materials
• Prioritise materials which are low or zero
carbon, responsibly sourced, and which have
low lifecycle impact in other areas, including
the health of the occupant, as determined
through a product specific environmental
Build efficiently product declaration where available
Use low carbon construction
• Choose low or zero carbon construction
technologies and eliminate waste
techniques having maximum efficiency and
minimum waste on site
0%
3. Plan for the future
n
an nd
ng
gn
io
ce
en a
ni
si
ct
Consider future use scenarios and end of life,
nt on
ru
De
an
ai ti
st
maximising the potential for maintenance,
Pl
m era
n
Co
repair and renovation, and ensure flexibility for
Op
future adaptation. Design for disassembly and
PROJECT DEVELOPMENT STAGES deconstruction to facilitate future reuse, selecting
materials which can be recycled and which can be
Figure 4: Opportunities to reduce embodied carbon from stage of design process. extracted and separated easily for processing.
Source: HM Treasury: Infrastructure Carbon Review, 2013
4. Offset
Our definition Our definition of net zero embodied carbon
in practice: As a last resort, offset residual embodied carbon
To bring clarity to our goals and to help galvanise emissions either within the project or organisational
the whole value chain in support of them, WorldGBC A net zero embodied carbon building (new or boundary8 or through verified offset schemes9.
is adopting the following definition for net zero renovated) or infrastructure asset is highly
embodied carbon. resource efficient with upfront carbon minimised
to the greatest extent possible and all remaining
Net zero embodied carbon should be
embodied carbon reduced or, as a last resort,
pursued as part of a whole lifecycle approach
offset in order to achieve net zero across the
to carbon reduction that includes net zero
lifecycle.
operational carbon.
8
For hard to abate sectors, consult sector decarbonisation roadmaps for appropriate carbon mitigation technologies and processes.
9
Approved offset schemes to be determined by local GBC or relevant industry body.22 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 23
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
State of the market
Across other types of infrastructure there may be a A focus on building elements as a principal source
greater diversity of elements with differing lifetimes, of embodied carbon presents an opportunity to
but similar patterns exist. Load-bearing elements ensure that structures achieve the maximum
that rely on carbon intensive materials such as possible useful life. Embodied carbon reduction
Understanding embodied carbon today concrete, steel and asphalt will often contribute the
majority of emissions.
efforts are therefore increasingly weighing the
merits of retrofitting against those of demolition
and new construction.
Objects 1 Year
Interior
Services
50 Years
Facade
Structure 100 Years
Rising demand for Key sources of embodied Foundation
construction materials and carbon – construction Everlasting
the case for action elements and materials Figure 5: Elements of a building and their typical lifetime, before replacement is needed14.
By 2060, the total global floor area of buildings Increased awareness of embodied carbon, and
will double, with more than 50% of this anticipated research into the carbon emissions of different
within the next 20 years10. The growth in new materials and projects over recent years, have United Nations headquarters – assessing the carbon‐saving value of
buildings will be particularly rapid in Asia and Africa. revealed which parts of buildings and infrastructure
Europe faces a different challenge – that of an are typically responsible for the majority of
retrofitting versus demolition and new construction (USA)
ageing existing building stock and the expectation embodied carbon emissions. Although this will
that up to 80% of buildings in use in 2050 already vary depending on the type of construction, some
exist today. Currently about 35% of buildings in general trends can be identified – these can help to Description Key characteristics
the EU are 50 years old or older, and 97% of the prioritise embodied carbon reduction efforts. In 2007 the United Nations initiated • The comparative study considered both embodied
building stock is not efficient enough to comply with a multi‐year renovation of its New and operational carbon.
Building elements
future carbon reduction targets11. These buildings York City headquarters, the Capital
will require deep, energy efficient renovation, Building elements such as foundations, frames • The study noted that if the campus were
Master Plan (CMP)15. Fundamental
contributing to increased embodied carbon even as and other forms of superstructure often represent demolished and reconstructed, it would take 35-70
to the project approach was the
operational emissions are reduced. the biggest contribution to embodied carbon13, not years before the operational efficiencies gained
decision to renovate the existing
least because of the large volumes of material they by the new construction would offset the initial
Population growth and rapid urbanisation across the campus as opposed to demolishing
use. But, additionally, these elements often contain outlays of embodied carbon.
world will necessitate significant amounts of new the complex and building anew.
carbon intensive load bearing structural materials This study advocates for a better • Sustainable design performance targets were
infrastructure. Capital investments in infrastructure
such as steel, concrete and masonry. Facades may understanding and accounting of defined across a wide range of areas, including
across the sector are forecast to grow by 40-70%
also contribute significantly if they utilise large the true cost of demolition and operational energy use and associated carbon
between 2020 and 204012. In certain types of
amounts of aluminium and glass, both of which makes a strong case for retrofits emission reductions, water efficiency, use
infrastructure projects, such as water supply and
have carbon intensive production processes. and renovations. of environmentally preferable materials, and
drainage or provision of low carbon power generation
and distribution, embodied carbon emissions can These different structural elements often last measures to improve indoor environmental quality.
account for a much higher share of the whole different lengths of time (see figure 5) – some
lifecycle emissions than in buildings. This means require frequent replacement while others have the
there is an even more compelling case for action. potential to outlast the asset and be reused.
10
International Energy Agency, Global Status Report 2017. 14
Adapted from Brand, S., 1994, How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built
11
http://bpie.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/State-of-the-building-stock-briefing_Dic6.pdf 15
Urban Green Council
12
Oxford economics (2017) Global Infrastructure Outlook.
13
UK Green Building Council (2017) Embodied Carbon: Developing a Client Brief.24 Bringing embodied carbon upfront 25
Coordinated action for the building and construction sector to tackle embodied carbon
Building materials emissions from these sectors have been considered
‘hard to abate’18.
The upfront emissions from materials and products
used to construct buildings and infrastructure, Other common construction materials that require
and those installed later during maintenance and high temperatures during manufacture include
renovation, usually represent a significantly greater aluminium and glass.
source of embodied carbon than all other stages in
Globally, much of the energy for industrial heat
the lifecycle.
is still supplied by fossil fuels such as oil and
Globally, cement and steel are two of the most gas, though waste and biofuels are increasingly
important sources of material-related emissions in used in some industries and in some parts of the
construction. Cement manufacture is responsible world. Recent research shows that it is feasible to
for around 7% of global carbon emissions16, with decarbonise these sectors19.
steel also contributing 7-9% of the global total17, of
Global cement consumption is projected to increase
which around half can be attributed to buildings
by 12-23% by 205020, while global steel production is
and construction.
forecast to grow by 30% over the same period, with
Both cement and steel require very high recycled secondary steel growing faster than the
temperatures during production, making them primary production21. It is important to recognise
energy intensive and, in both cases, the chemical the crucial role that these materials have played and
reactions that take place during manufacture also will continue to play in human society even as we Concrete Sustainability Council (Global)
release carbon dioxide directly. For this reason, point to the need for radical decarbonisation.
Description Key characteristics
ResponsibleSteel standard development (Global) The Concrete Sustainability Council • CSC certified members are implementing, among
(CSC) is committed to implementing other things, dedicated measures to minimise:
a global responsible sourcing
• land use
Description Key characteristics22 certification system for concrete
and its supply chain. • CO2 and other emissions
ResponsibleSteel, in partnership • ResponsibleSteel operating companies are
with both steel producers and committed to 12 principles for the responsible CSC certified concrete23, cement • energy and water consumption
users, is developing a standard sourcing and production of steel, including and aggregate producers are
• Members are also working to increase the use of
to identify and reward companies corporate leadership, climate change and committed to a broad range of
secondary materials and fuels, and to promote
that are committed to creating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation, and responsible sourcing principles,
biodiversity
a ‘responsible’ steel value chain. water stewardship. including:
This will cover everything from the • CSC certification promotes the responsible use of
• Principle 8: Climate Change and Greenhouse • Respect for human rights
sourcing of raw materials through to energy and the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG)
Gas Emissions requires operating companies to • Respect for the needs emissions. Specific evaluation criteria for plants
the sale of their final products.
commit to reducing GHG emissions in line with the of employees and local undergoing certification include:
global goals of the Paris Agreement and to take communities
necessary actions to achieve this. The specific • implementing an energy and climate policy
criteria of this principle include: • Minimising environmental
• monitoring and public reporting of GHG
footprint in relation to the
• corporate commitment to achieve the goals of emissions
production of concrete,
the Paris Agreement cement and aggregates • setting a publicly available CO2 reduction
• corporate climate-related financial disclosure target
• site-level GHG emissions measurement and • identifying and applying energy reduction
intensity calculation measures
• site-level GHG emissions reporting and • creating energy saving awareness
disclosure covering: • Promoting the use of secondary materials to
• site-level GHG reduction targets and reduce CO2 emissions and move towards a
planning more circular economy
• GHG emissions performance • conducting third party audits of target setting
and achievement
16
International Energy Agency (2018) Technology Roadmap: Low-Carbon Transition in the Cement Industry. 20
https://www.iea.org/newsroom/news/2018/april/cement-technology-roadmap-plots-path-to-cutting-co2-emissions-24-by-2050.html
17
S tockholm Environment Institute (2018): Low-emission steel production – decarbonising heavy industry. 21
Energy Transitions Commission (2018): Reaching zero carbon emissions from steel – consultation paper.
18
Material Economics (2019) Industrial Transformation 2050: Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions from EU Heavy Industry. 22
ResponsibleSteel (2019) ResponsibleSteel Draft Standard Version 3.0
19
Energy Transitions Commission (2018) Mission Possible - Reaching Net-Zero Carbon Emissions from Harder-to-Abate Sectors by Mid-Century 23
Concrete Sustainability Council (2019) Technical Manual 2.0.You can also read
