As buildings get more energy efficient, another source of emissions is getting more attention: embodied carbon. For many project teams, the topic still feels abstract or hard to act on. In reality, it’s measurable, manageable, and increasingly relevant to real project decisions.
Here are clear answers to the questions we hear most often.
What is embodied carbon?
Embodied carbon (also called Embodied Emissions) refers to the greenhouse gas emissions linked to building materials and construction. This includes extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and end of life.
Unlike operational emissions, most embodied emissions (70-80%) are released upfront. That timing matters. Early reductions have a stronger climate impact.
Why does embodied carbon matter now?
Operational emissions are going down. Codes, electrification, and better envelopes are doing their job. At the same time, embodied emissions now represent a larger share of a building’s total carbon footprint, especially for new construction.
For some buildings and some of the modelling we have performed over the years, embodied carbon can account for 80%+ of total lifecycle emissions. Ignoring it leaves a big gap in climate strategies.
Which materials drive embodied carbon the most?
The biggest contributors are usually concrete, steel, and insulation. These materials are carbon intensive because of how they’re produced and the volumes used.
That doesn’t mean every project needs radical material changes. Small design choices add up. Examples include reducing concrete volumes, optimizing structural grids, selecting lower carbon mixes, or choosing alternative assemblies where appropriate.
The key is understanding where emissions come from before trying to reduce them.
How do you measure embodied carbon?
The standard approach is a Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA. A whole building LCA quantifies emissions across defined lifecycle stages using standardized methods and data sources.
An LCA shows which elements matter most, where design decisions have the biggest impact, and what tradeoffs exist.
This makes embodied carbon a design input, not just a reporting exercise.
When should embodied carbon be addressed in a project?
Earlier is better. The biggest opportunities show up during concept and schematic design, when structure, massing, and material strategies are still flexible.
That said, LCAs are still valuable later in design. They can support compliance, inform material selection, and provide documentation for programs, incentives, or internal targets.
Embodied carbon work scales with the project phase. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Does reducing embodied carbon increase costs?
The question on everyone lips. Our answer: Not necessarily. Many reductions come from efficiency rather than substitution. Using less material often saves both carbon and money.
Some low-carbon options may carry cost premiums, especially if they are unfamiliar or limited in supply. An LCA helps teams focus effort where it makes sense and avoid changes with little benefit.
Cost conversations are more productive when they’re based on data instead of assumptions. Read our free Cost Savings Low Carbon Toolkit and find out how top developers & architects save $300K+ with an LCA.
How does embodied carbon fit with codes and policy?
In BC and across Canada, embodied carbon is moving from voluntary leadership to policy discussion. Several municipalities now require reporting, and others are testing incentives or pilot programs (See our blog post: Several BC Municipalities Are Moving on Embodied Carbon.).
Even where it’s not mandated, embodied carbon is showing up in rezoning, procurement, and client expectations. Projects that already understand their carbon impacts are better positioned to respond as requirements evolve.
LCAs help teams stay ahead without overcorrecting.
Is embodied carbon only relevant for large or complex buildings?
No. While large projects often lead the way, embodied carbon matters for all building types. Low rise residential, renovations, and tenant improvements all carry material emissions.
In some cases, renovations can outperform new construction from a lifecycle perspective, even if operational performance is similar. That insight only comes from looking at both embodied and operational emissions together (aka Lifecycle Thinking).
What’s the first step for a project team?
Start with a baseline. You don’t need a perfect model to begin making better decisions. A simple early-stage LCA can highlight priorities and guide design conversations.
From there, teams can test options, track progress, and document outcomes in a way that aligns with their goals, whether that’s compliance, leadership, or internal learning.
Embodied carbon isn’t about adding complexity. Architects have hired us to run LCAs on past projects after construction to set a baseline. Developers have brought us in at schematic design to shape material and structural strategies. Others have asked us to compare rebar options during procurement to find the lowest carbon choice. In each case, the goal is the same: make the carbon impact of decisions clear when it still matters.
Why LCAs matter
Life Cycle Assessments turn embodied carbon from an abstract concept into something practical. They give project teams a shared language and a clear basis for decisions.
At Carbon Wise, we see LCAs work best when they support design rather than sit on the sidelines. Used well, they reduce risk, clarify tradeoffs, and help teams move forward with confidence.
Embodied carbon is already part of the building conversation. The question now is how intentionally we address it without adding burden to projects.
Wondering where to start?
If you’re trying to understand where embodied carbon fits into your projects, an LCA is a practical place to start. Our team works with architects, developers, and municipalities to apply whole building LCA in ways that reflect real design, cost, and policy constraints. We’re actively involved in shaping local and national approaches to embodied carbon, and we bring that experience into every project. If you want support that’s grounded in current policy and real-world practice, get in touch with us.