Eco Matters: What is embodied carbon and what can you do about it?

We hear a lot about new homes which are highly efficient and ‘low carbon’ but this often takes no account of the carbon dioxide released during the construction – this is known as embodied carbon.

It's the greenhouse gas emissions that come from making, transporting, and installing all of the materials that go into a building, like bricks, steel, and glass.

Then, once someone moves in, the emissions that come from heating, cooling, and lighting it are called operational carbon.

A house with a good energy efficiency rating (EPC B) will emit around two tonnes of carbon dioxide each year and, as the grid gets greener and alternative heating solutions are deployed, these emissions will continue to decrease.

By contrast, the building of a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house will emit 26 tonnes of carbon dioxide (not including any destruction of existing trees and green spaces).

The carbon buildup is a bit like a bathtub: it is close to over-flowing, and the plughole can only let out so much at a time.

The dripping tap represents the daily emissions from your home, but each time a new home is built, if we’re not careful, a whole bucket of water is thrown in.

This is why we need those that make planning decisions to consider both embodied and operational carbon when they assess the environmental impact of buildings.

And what can you do about it?

If you are thinking about renovating or extending your current home, then think hard about the materials that are used. N

atural materials like wood, hempcrete, and wool for insulation are likely to have negative embodied emissions because of the carbon dioxide they have absorbed whilst growing.

Recycled, reclaimed, and waste materials from other processes will also have lower embodied carbon than virgin materials.

Take an interest in the plans being submitted for new developments in your area and see if they have said anything at all about embodied carbon or the materials they will use: if they haven’t, submit an objection.

You might not be directly impacted today because they are on the other side of town, but everyone will be impacted by the carbon they emit during and after construction.

Remember, every action counts and you can make a difference.

Or, in the words of the Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not!”

The Eco Matters Column is a community-led project run by local volunteers. Views expressed are the contributor’s own.

For information or to contribute to the column contact Andrew Ingram on ecomatters.today@gmail.com