When evaluating a building’s life cycle, embodied carbon is crucial in decisions related to construction, materials, and logistics. The built environment significantly impacts energy consumption and the natural environment. While operational energy (energy used during the building's operation) can be mitigated through energy-efficient and renewable technologies, embodied energy must be addressed during the design and construction phases.


 

Embodied energy consists of:
 

• Initial Embodied Energy: Energy required for material extraction, construction, and transportation.
• Recurring Embodied Energy: Energy needed for maintenance and repairs over the building's life.
   

Embodied carbon typically represents 40%-45% of the building's total energy footprint, while operational energy makes up 55%-60%. Ignoring embodied energy can lead to environmental degradation, including higher greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss.


Embodied and operational energy are measured in Mega Joules (MJ) or Giga Joules (GJ) per unit of weight or area, simplifying impact assessments. For high-performance buildings, early evaluation ensures low embodied energy and supports sustainability goals.

The embodied energy of a sample of materials used in the construction process