BSRIA Whitepaper on Embodied Carbon
A net zero carbon building is one with net zero whole life emissions. This includes both operational and embodied emissions. Operational emissions should be near zero. Embodied emissions from the product and construction phases should be measured, minimised, and offset at practical completion. This guide focuses on what building professionals need to understand about embodied emissions as part of creating a net zero built environment.
Embodied carbon is a rapidly evolving issue and there is a growing number of resources available to demystify the topic. This guide distils and signposts to these resources, with a particular focus on building services. It focuses on what is possible with today’s technology, and which decisions have the greatest impact. It is aimed at built environment professionals, including designers, building owners and manufacturers of building products. It is the fourth in a series of guides published by the Net Zero Building Centre, following on from:
- NZG 1/2022 Net Zero Carbon Buildings
- NZG 2/2023 Indoor Environmental Quality and Net Zero
- NZG 3/2023 The Global Context for Net Zero
The Net Zero Building Centre is a joint venture between BSRIA and LSBU with the aim of accelerating decarbonisation in the built environment. It is an innovation hub and centre of excellence that builds on the shared strengths of BSRIA and LSBU in the field of low carbon buildings.
This guide is published by the Net Zero Building Centre, a joint venture between BSRIA and London South Bank University. It focuses on what building professionals need to understand about embodied emissions as part of creating a net zero built environment.
- Download a sample preview
- Format: digital (NZG4/2023). Price: £0.00. Follow this link to download full copy.
This article appears on the BSRIA knowledge bookshop as "Embodied Carbon (NZG 4/2023)" and on the BSRIA news and blog site as "New Whitepaper: Embodied Carbon (NZG 4/2023)" dated December 2023.
--BSRIA
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- An in-depth look at Environmental Product Declarations EPDs.
- BPIE report urges EU to incorporate the carbon footprint of construction into policy.
- BS EN 15978-1.
- BSRIA Whitepaper on Embodied Carbon NZG 4/2023
- Carbon dioxide.
- Carbon footprint.
- Climate change act.
- Climate change science.
- Climate Emergency Design Guide.
- Cradle to grave.
- Dr. Natasha Watson; UK lead for embodied carbon at Buro Happold.
- Embedded carbon emissions.
- Embodied carbon.
- Embodied energy.
- EN 15804+A1 2012.
- Environmental product declaration EPD.
- Greenhouse gas.
- Life Cycle Carbon Emissions.
- Mandatory and optional environmental impact categories.
- Optional environmental impact categories.
- PHribbon tool calculates embodied carbon of designs.
- Product Environmental Footprint PEF.
- Product category rules PCR.
- RICS launches new global edition of its ground-breaking Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard.
- Sustainable procurement.
- Sustainability in building design and construction.
- The sustainability of construction works.
- Upfront emissions.
- Use stage embodied carbon.
- Wood, embodied carbon and operational carbon.
- Whole life carbon.
Featured articles and news
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.
A brief run down of changes intentions from April in an onwards.
Reslating an ancient water mill
A rare opportunity to record, study and repair early vernacular roofs.
CIOB Apprentice of the Year 2025/26
Construction apprentice from Lincoln Mia Owen wins this years title.
Insulation solutions with less waste for a circular economy
Rob Firman, Technical and Specification Manager, Polyfoam XPS explains.
Recycled waste plastic in construction
Hierarchy, prevention to disposal, plastic types and approaches.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard V1 published
Free-to-access technical standard to enable robust proof of a decarbonising built environment.
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Why talking about prostate cancer matters in construction.
The Architectural Technology podcast: Where it's AT
Catch up for free, subscribe and share with your network.
The Association of Consultant Architects recap
A reintroduction and recap of ACA President; Patrick Inglis' Autumn update.
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.