Reducing Embodied Carbon From the Inside Out
In the architecture and design industry’s efforts to reduce emissions and make a positive environmental impact, most of our focus has been on reducing operational carbon – now we’ve shifted to the overall impact of embodied carbon.
Operational carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions from a building’s energy consumption, whereas embodied carbon considers every step along the way of the building’s construction and lifespan, including the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance and disposal of building materials.
Most of the conversation surrounding embodied carbon has been about the construction of the building, but the interiors can also have an impact, especially in offices and hospitality spaces that undergo cyclical renovations. As an industry, we have the opportunity to reduce embodied carbon from the inside out by selecting innovative materials that emit less carbon, contribute to LEED credits and advance the circular economy.
The Ins and Outs of a Building’s Embodied Carbon
Most of the opportunities to reduce a building’s embodied carbon happen early in the construction process. The Carbon Leadership Forum shares that about 30% of all global carbon emissions come from the building sector, with at least 8% resulting from the manufacturing of construction materials – the largest sources being the production of cement, iron, and steel.
The original construction results in such a heavy portion of a building’s embodied carbon that even new, high-performing buildings can take from 20 to 80 years to recoup in operational carbon savings. Along with making buildings more energy-efficient in their operational stage of life, we also need to consider how to reduce carbon in the early stages of the project, considering how much to build versus reuse, what waste can be saved and what materials should be used.
Construction materials are not the only aspect of a building that impacts the embodied carbon. The initial interiors, as well as any renovations made to those interiors throughout the building’s lifespan, also carry embodied carbon from manufacturing, installation, etc.
Using a tool from the Carbon Leadership Forum (CLM), LMN Architects conducted a study to determine the impact of interior renovations on a building’s embodied carbon. The CLM tool uses product data from Environmental Product Declarations, which are built around the life-cycle assessment methodology and transparently communicate the environmental performance or impact of any product or material over its lifetime. Through their study, LMN found that buildings that experience a lot of cyclical renovations, those happening every few years in spaces that have a lot of foot traffic, the cumulative carbon impact of interiors can actually surpass the emissions generated by the building’s construction.
Chart from LMN Architects study of embodied carbon from interior renovations.
Opportunities to Reduce Embodied Carbon
Clearly, embodied carbon is not an issue we can overlook. Interior designers and architects who are supporting either construction or remodel projects have the opportunity to lower a building’s embodied carbon by selecting innovative materials that emit less carbon, contribute to LEED credits and advance the circular economy.
In terms of design materials, we can look toward low-carbon, carbon-neutral or carbon-storing materials like wood, bamboo and straw. We should also consider using recycled, reclaimed and regenerative materials as often as possible to reduce both emissions and waste. For example, ECONYLⓇ nylon, which is often used in carpets, furniture and interior products, saves up to 90% of carbon emissions compared to the production of conventional nylon.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a globally recognized certification framework for sustainability in the building sector. Some of LEED’s top priorities are decarbonizing the building industry and inspiring adaptive and resilient built environments. Through LEED’s holistic system, buildings can earn credits related to their construction, design, maintenance, and operations in order to be certified as a green building. Architects and designers should also focus on specifying products and materials that contribute to LEED credits. ECONYLⓇ nylon, for one, contributes to four categories of LEED V5 credits.
There are additional certifications that mark the sustainability of a building and help advance the circular economy, including Cradle-to-Cradle and BREEAM. The EPEA Cradle-to-Cradle certification sets the standard for innovating and optimizing designs through the use of recycled, durable, clean ingredients. ECONYLⓇ nylon is considered a market leader by the EPEA in meeting the requirement for carpet fibers through its chemical recycling process, durable performance, and high percentage of post-consumer waste.
BREEAM, or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is a certification designed to monitor, evaluate, and certify building sustainability. In order to obtain the BREEAM certification, sustainable practices must be adopted beyond the design and construction phase of a building and continue through the building’s management and maintenance, including any renovations. BREEAM contributes to the UN SDG on sustainable consumption and production by encouraging the sustainable procurement and use of construction materials that are reused or recycled, used in an efficient manner, have a low environmental impact, and are durable and resilient.
Let’s Make a Difference, Together
While the issue of embodied carbon seems daunting, I believe it is never too late to do better: create better, design better, and construct better. Now that we are more educated on all the factors contributing to a building’s embodied carbon, we are also better equipped to recognize the opportunities to reduce carbon along every step of the value chain. As individuals, we can all make better choices, and together we can change the way buildings influence carbon emissions.
Author: Luca Bertamini, BCF Technical Customer Service & Product Development Manager
