Embodied Carbon
Researchers in a laboratory at Oregon State University study the properties of cross-laminated timber. CLTs are a way to reduce the embodied impacts of a structural system.
“Embodied carbon” typically refers to the upfront greenhouse gas emissions associated with producing building materials.
Structural materials like steel and concrete tend to have the highest embodied carbon within a building, but all the other products, even down to interior finishes like drywall and carpet, come into play as well. To learn about the embodied carbon of a specific product, look to an environmental product declaration. A whole-building life-cycle assessment is necessary to understand the emissions associated with an entire project.
Embodied Carbon
Deep Dives
Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.
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The Great Eight: High-Impact Material Choices for Green Building
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We’re at a tipping point in insulation, flooring, textiles, and other product categories. Here’s what to spec and what to avoid.
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Circular Economy at Scale: Six International Case Studies
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These teams are applying radical life-cycle thinking to entire projects—and redefining what building ownership means in the process.
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EPDs Are the Future of the Building Industry, Whether You Like It or Not
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Environmental product declarations are taking off, but can they actually fly? Experts share the ups and downs of this promising but imperfect transparency tool.
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Raze or Retrofit? Six Extraordinary Answers to an Everyday Question
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Saving a building is usually an environmental win, but thoughtful renovation isn’t easy. And there comes a time to tear things down.
Quick Takes
Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.
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Product Guidance
Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.
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Can AI Help Close the Timber Loop?
Product Review
Urban Machine developed a machine that uses AI and robotics to de-nail salvaged wood for reuse onsite.
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Can U.S.-made Wood Insulation Go Mainstream?
Product Review
Imported European wood insulation has been available for years, but high costs, limited availability, and code challenges have kept it from going mainstream. U.S.-made TimberHP is out to change that.
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Heat Pump Transitions to Lower-GWP Refrigerants
Product Review
Daikin is speeding the transition to lower global warming potential with its Atmosphera ductless heat pumps, which use R32 refrigerants.
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Rapidly Renewable Hemp Flooring and Lumber
Product Review
Hemp is a sustainable, low-embodied-carbon building material, but few products are actually made from it. HempWood is out to change that with its flooring and non-structural lumber made from hemp fibers.
In The News
We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.
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4 Big Questions as Building Codes Consider Embodied Carbon
News Analysis
Beyond “buy clean” procurement policies, a newer race is on to limit embodied carbon through codes. But the fate of the effort is uncertain.
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Glass Pozzolan Wins Innovation Award
News Brief
Urban Mining Industries’ Pozzotive glass pozzolan can replace portland cement in concrete and is now a Concrete Innovation Award winner.
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A New Effort to Ensure Carbon Offsets Mean Something
News Brief
Core Carbon Principles and assessment guidelines from the Integrity Council aim to help purchasers identify “high-quality” carbon credits.
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GSA Drafts Carbon Limits for Select Building Materials
News Brief
The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is establishing thresholds for concrete and other high-embodied-carbon building materials.
Perspective
Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.
Learning Resources
Syllabus supplements and CEU content, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.
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Just For Fun
Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...
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