Embodied Carbon Actions
Achieving zero embodied emissions will require adopting the principles of reuse, including renovating existing buildings, using recycled materials, and designing for deconstruction; reduce, including material optimization and the specification of low to zero carbon materials; and sequester, including the design of carbon sequestering sites and the use of carbon sequestering materials.
Architecture 2030 Insight
Just three materials – concrete, steel, and aluminum – are responsible for 23% of total global emissions (most from the built environment). There is incredible opportunity for embodied carbon reduction in these high-impact materials through policy, design, material selection, and specification.
> Explore the Carbon Smart Materials Palette to learn more about design, material selection, and specification for reducing embodied carbon emissions.
> Explore the City Policy Framework for Dramatically Reducing Embodied Carbon to learn more about policies that reduce embodied carbon emissions.