Beyond measurement: minimising embodied carbon in construction

The global construction carbon footprint has doubled over the past three decades and under the business-as-usual scenario, the construction carbon footprint alone could exceed the per-annum carbon budget for the global climate targets in the next two decades.

This lecture discusses challenges and opportunities of minimising the embodied footprint of construction projects. It will help you gain an understanding of assessment of embodied carbon according to frameworks and standards and how strategies can be developed to minimise carbon emissions stemmed from all stages of the construction, including materials, transportation, services, machinery, and on-site activities. Using insights from major infrastructure projects, the lecture demonstrates how embedding sustainable design and construction practices from the outset can enable the achievement of ambitious low-carbon targets.

The lecture covers:

• Embodied carbon

• Sustainable construction

• Climate resilience

• Resource efficiency

Speaker

Dr. Mithila Achintha

Dr. Mithila Achintha

Senior Lecturer, The University of Manchester

Dr Mithila, FIStructE is a chartered engineer, who specialises in structural engineering and construction materials focusing on sustainability. His recent research includes creating models/tools supporting the construction industry’s move towards Net Zero by accurately assessing embodied carbon and promoting low carbon solutions. He works with industrial partners including the Lower Thames Crossing project and Greater Manchester Combined Authority. From 2022-25, he was the programme director of civil engineering undergraduate degree programmes at the University of Manchester.