Structural engineering innovation for a zero-carbon world: an R&D agenda to match the carbon budget

As the climate changes there will be ever-increasing social and economic pressure to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, with focus turning to the embodied carbon in products which has thus far been eclipsed by operational values.

Will Arnold, Jenny Burridge, David Moore, Keerthi Ranasinghe and Sean Wilkins argue that engineers should always look to specify the most suitable material for a particular project, and offer advice on how to use materials efficiently once a choice is made.

Paul Astle explores potential ways in which engineers can seek reductions in the embodied carbon of structural concrete.