Operational vs Embodied Carbon: What’s the difference?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimate that globally, the construction sector accounted for 39% of energy and process related carbon emissions in 2019. The World Green Building Council break this down within their 2019 release, ‘Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront’, where it is estimated that approximately 28% of global emissions can be attributed to operational carbon, whereas 11% comes from embodied emissions, associated with materials and construction processes.

It is important to distinguish between these two types of emission. Operational carbon is associated with the energy used to operate the building, once construction is complete. Embodied carbon emissions are associated with construction processes and materials used when constructing the building and include works to the building throughout its life cycle (for example, a new boiler). Embodied emissions include material extraction, fabrication, transport, and any emissions associated with construction, repair, deconstruction, and disposal. Whole life carbon is the combination of all embodied and operational emissions over the lifetime of a building (or product). It is the vision of the Green Building Council that all new buildings, infrastructure and renovations will have net zero operational carbon by 2030 and net zero whole life carbon by 2050.

In the UK, new policy was introduced in April 2022 to incentivise homeowners and developers to install low-carbon heating systems, with a focus on electric heat pumps for which there are financial grants available. There will also be a complete ban on gas-fired boilers by 2025. Such policy is therefore conducive to net zero operational carbon emissions by 2030, particularly when considered in accordance with the increasing decarbonisation of the national grid, which is projected to deliver sustained periods of zero carbon electricity by 2025.

Embodied carbon emissions are inherently less simple to reduce than operational emissions, which is reflected in the GBC’s vision for Net Zero Whole Life Carbon by 2050, rather than by 2030. Whilst the electrification of all new and refurbished buildings is a clear and direct strategy for systemic operational reductions, embodied carbon reduction is a challenge which requires a multifaceted approach. One clear and simple strategy to reduce embodied carbon emissions is to maximise the value extracted from raw materials, by re-using existing building stock and structures. This ‘circular economy’ approach has manifested itself in the release of British Standard 8001; a practical framework that focuses on waste prevention, resource efficiency, eco-design and re-use. It is however important to acknowledge that, according to a Global Status Report by the GABC, the total global floor area of buildings will have doubled by 2060. This projection is supported by Oxford Economics, who suggest that population growth and rapid urbanisation will necessitate significant amounts of new construction.

Whilst BS 8001 and other circular strategies should of course be adopted where possible, it is important to acknowledge that new construction is inevitable. Furthermore, with significant reductions in operational carbon emissions projected by 2030, there will be an increasing focus on reducing embodied carbon emissions in new construction.

At Develeco, we understand the engineering principles at the core of HVAC within buildings. We also have current knowledge as to the various products, materials, design techniques, procurement practices and construction methods available, to drive down both operational and embodied carbon within the projects that we deliver.