How to calculate embodied carbon (Second edition)

Author: O P Gibbons, J J Orr

Date published

31 March 2022

Price
PDF: Free
Print: Standard: £49.00/Member: £31.85/Student: £24.50
Back to Previous

How to calculate embodied carbon (Second edition)

Tag
Author
O P Gibbons, J J Orr
Date published
31 March 2022
Price
PDF: Free
Print: Standard: £49.00/Member: £31.85/Student: £24.50
Guidance
Author

O P Gibbons, J J Orr

Date published

31 March 2022

Author

O P Gibbons, J J Orr

Price

PDF: Free
Print: Standard: £49.00/Member: £31.85/Student: £24.50

A set of embodied carbon calculation principles for the structural engineering community to follow

Note: Login to your MYACCOUNT to download the free PDF version 

Calculating embodied carbon in the same rigorous way across all designs will allow meaningful comparisons to be made between structural schemes, developing our understanding of embodied carbon as well as how the industry can most effectively reach net zero carbon.

This guidance is equally applicable to infrastructure and building projects. The calculation of embodied carbon must become a key part of every design process. Such efforts support the immediate need to reduce resource demand and increase reuse and recycling to enable a circular economy. 

This guidance will:
  • Help you select and specify materials that are efficient while ensuring they're safe and durable
  • Establish an agreed set of principals for the measuring of embodied carbon
  • Reduce the amount of carbon you use in your projects
  • Quantify the benefits of low carbon design to the client and society
  • Inform you about alternative ways you can move towards net zero carbon design

This guide has been translated into an open-source Excel estimator, The Structural Carbon Tool Version 2. The tool is free to download and can be used to quickly identify ways in which to minimise embodied carbon on your designs.

The guide supports legislation by UK Parliament to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and forms a part of the response of The Institution of Structural Engineers to implement the necessary changes in the profession to respond to the climate emergency. IStructE has built a portfolio of guidance documents, FAQs and articles related to embodied carbon. The guide also supports the sustainability related core tasks in The Structural Plan of Work 2020.

Please note: For an outline of the updates made to the Second Edition of How To Calculate Embodied Carbon, visit this webpage.

Important Note: The RICS Professional Statement: Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment, has recently been updated and relaunched as 2nd Edition. The update provides a clear, consistent and accurate methodology for the whole life carbon measurement and reporting across all building types, and is aligned with BS EN 15978. The Institution’s guide ‘How to calculate embodied carbon’ and supporting tool ‘The Structural Carbon Tool’ will be updated in due course to align with the RICS PS 2nd Ed.

 

Climate Emergency Conference 2020

Additional information

Format:
Book (PDF)
ISBN:
978-1-906335-47-2
Pages:
53
Publisher:
IStructE Ltd

Tags

Materials Guidance Suitable for students Climate change Codes & Standards Best practice Guides Carbon

Related Resources & Events

Course
A large horizontal metal structure projects from the side of a tall building.

Wind loading on structures to EN 1991-1-4

This course takes place as a series of two-hour interactive sessions over three weeks. It introduces EN 1991-1-4 for determining wind actions on structures, outlines the basic principles behind the code and covers each step of the procedure for calculating the wind loads on structures. Attention is given to important features introduced by the UK NA.

Date – 12 September 2024
Location – Online
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT
Course
looking upwards surrounded by tall buildings

Design and analysis of tall buildings

This popular one-day, online course offers guidance on the design, stability, safety and performance of tall buildings.

Date – 5 February 2024
Location – Online
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT
Course
construction site with foundations and piling

Eurocode 7: foundation design for small practitioners

This course covers aspects of the geotechnical and structural design of spread and piled foundations. It is tailored for engineers working in small practices. The content is compliant with Eurocodes 2 and 7, with opportunities for comparisons with relevant British Standards.

Date – 8 October 2024
Location – 47-58 Bastwick St, London, EC1V 3PS
Price – £295 - £445 + VAT