Embodied Carbon Benchmark Study: LCA for Low Carbon Construction

Abstract

The Embodied Carbon Benchmark Study provides data to building industry professionals integrating embodied carbon into life cycle decision making. However, in order to allow embodied carbon results to be comparable across projects and practices, a common standard for life cycle analysis is required. The next stage of this project will result in the creation of such an environmental life cycle assessment (LCA) practice guide (due December 2017). This report outlines the first stage of the project, which establishes reasonable estimates of the embodied carbon of buildings (the greenhouse gas emissions resulting from extracting, manufacturing and installing materials and products over the life cycle of a building) and characterizes the level and sources of uncertainty in our current knowledge.