Embodied Carbon & Operational Energy
The architecture industry has a significant impact on the environment, accounting for a large share of global greenhouse gas emissions. While operational energy consumption has traditionally been the primary focus of building sustainability efforts, the carbon emissions associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of building materials, known as embodied carbon, are becoming increasingly important to address as well.
Designing and constructing buildings with low embodied carbon and operational energy can reduce the environmental impact of the built environment and mitigate the effects of climate change. In this blog post, we will explore the concepts of embodied carbon and operational energy in more detail, their impact on the architecture industry, and strategies for mitigating them in building design and beyond. Join us in today’s post as we dive into the world of sustainable building practices and explore ways to create a more sustainable built environment for future generations.
Introduction to the terms
Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, and construction of building materials, as well as the disposal of materials at the end of the building's life cycle. Embodied carbon also includes the carbon emissions generated from maintenance and repairs during the building's life cycle. It is essentially the carbon footprint of a building before it is even occupied. Embodied carbon is a critical consideration in sustainable design because it represents a significant portion of a building's total carbon footprint. According to a report from Architecture 2030, embodied carbon accounts for nearly half of all global carbon emissions. Additionally, as buildings become more energy-efficient, the proportion of embodied carbon in their overall carbon footprint is likely to increase.
On the other hand, operational energy refers to the energy used by a building in its day-to-day operations, such as lighting, heating, cooling, and running appliances. It is the carbon footprint of a building once it is occupied. The amount of operational energy a building consumes is dependent on a variety of factors, including the building's location, orientation, design, and construction materials. According to the International Energy Agency, buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of global energy consumption and 30% of global carbon emissions
Both embodied carbon and operational energy have a significant impact on the architecture industry, particularly in terms of building sustainability and environmental impact. Reducing the embodied carbon of a building can be achieved by using sustainable and low-carbon materials, sourcing materials locally, and designing buildings for disassembly, prefabrication (to reduce transportation) or recycling. Reducing operational energy can be achieved through. incorporating passive design strategies such as optimising building orientation and using natural ventilation and daylighting. They can also incorporate energy-efficient systems such as high-performance insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and energy-efficient lighting.
Architects and designers are increasingly incorporating sustainability into their designs and focusing on reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. Governments and building codes are also placing greater emphasis on building sustainability, with many requiring buildings to meet certain energy efficiency and sustainability standards. As a result, the architecture industry is playing a significant role in mitigating climate change and promoting sustainable development.
Methods of Reducing Embodied Carbon & Operation Energy
Mitigating embodied carbon and operational energy in the design process can be achieved through a variety of strategies. By incorporating these strategies into the design process, architects and designers can significantly reduce the embodied carbon and operational energy of buildings, making them more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Here are a few examples:
Material selection: Choosing low-carbon materials such as wood, bamboo, and recycled materials can help reduce embodied carbon. Additionally, selecting materials that are locally sourced or have low transportation emissions can further reduce the carbon footprint of a building.
Design for disassembly and reuse: Designing buildings with the ability to disassemble and reuse materials can significantly reduce embodied carbon. This approach also helps to promote circularity, reducing waste and the need for new materials.
Energy-efficient building design: Incorporating passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, shading, and insulation can reduce the need for active heating and cooling systems, which can significantly reduce operational energy. Additionally, optimising building orientation, window placement, and building envelope design can also improve energy efficiency.
Renewable energy sources: Incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or geothermal can help to reduce operational energy, and in some cases, can even generate excess energy that can be fed back into the grid.
Building automation systems: Building automation systems can help to optimise energy consumption by controlling lighting, heating, and cooling based on occupancy and other factors. This can lead to significant energy savings and reduce operational energy.
Embodied Carbon & Operational Energy in the Wider Context
In addition to the design process, there are several ways to prioritise embodied carbon and operational energy in architecture. First by looking at policies and regulation. Governments can incentivise and enforce sustainable building practices through policies and regulations. This includes setting carbon reduction targets, establishing building codes that prioritise energy efficiency and sustainability, and providing financial incentives for building owners to invest in sustainable building practices.
The second factor you can consider is a life cycle assessment. Conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) of a building can help identify the embodied carbon and operational energy associated with a building, as well as opportunities for reduction. This can inform design decisions and provide a basis for setting carbon reduction targets. In addition to this, educating people and increasing awareness on the topic and definition of ‘embodied carbon' and ‘operational energy’ can help drive demand for sustainable building practices. This includes educating building owners, designers, and occupants about sustainable design principles, carbon reduction strategies, and the benefits of sustainable buildings.
Increasing awareness will be further emphasised and more effective with industry collaboration among industry stakeholders, including architects, engineers, contractors, and building owners, can help promote sustainable building practices and drive innovation. This includes sharing best practices, developing new technologies and materials, and collaborating on sustainability research and development.
Lastly, conducting post-occupancy evaluations(POEs) of buildings can help identify opportunities for energy and carbon reduction. This includes monitoring and analysing energy consumption data, conducting occupant surveys, and identifying areas for improvement. By prioritising embodied carbon and operational energy in architecture through these strategies, we can help drive the transition to a more sustainable built environment and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
As we've seen throughout today’s post, embodied carbon and operational energy are critical in sustainable building design and construction. With the architecture industry accounting for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial that we prioritise sustainable building practices that reduce both embodied carbon and operational energy. By incorporating sustainable design principles, selecting low-carbon materials, optimising building layouts, and using renewable energy sources, we can reduce the carbon footprint of buildings and promote a more sustainable built environment. It is also important that policymakers, industry stakeholders, and building owners collaborate to promote sustainable building practices and establish policies and regulations that incentivise sustainability.
As individuals, we can also make a difference by educating ourselves on sustainable building practices, advocating for sustainable building design, and adopting sustainable behaviours in our own homes and workplaces. In conclusion, by prioritising embodied carbon and operational energy in architecture, we can reduce our environmental impact, mitigate the effects of climate change, and build a more sustainable future for generations to come.
We hope you enjoyed the context of this post and that you can take away some principles from it to consider when you’re next designing for a brief. If you would like to see more of our content, have a look around on the website and follow us on Instagram @Archidabble to stay up to date!
