Embodied Carbon in Materials
The hidden emissions in building materials and construction
Your Progress
Section 2 of 5The Upfront Carbon Challenge
Embodied carbon represents 20-30% of a building's lifetime emissions—or up to 50% for highly efficient buildings. These emissions occur "upfront" during material production, transportation, and construction, making material selection one of the most impactful early design decisions. Unlike operational emissions that accrue gradually, embodied carbon is locked in once construction begins.
Carbon-Intensive Materials
- ⚠️Concrete: 400-500 kg CO₂e per ton (cement production)
- ⚠️Steel: 1,800-2,500 kg CO₂e per ton (blast furnace)
- ⚠️Aluminum: 9,000-12,000 kg CO₂e per ton (smelting)
- ⚠️Glass: 700-900 kg CO₂e per ton (high heat process)
Low-Carbon Alternatives
Mass Timber (CLT)
Carbon negative: stores ~250 kg CO₂e per ton
Recycled Steel
75% lower emissions than virgin steel
Low-Carbon Concrete
SCMs reduce cement by 30-70%
Interactive Material Carbon Calculator
Design your building and see how material choices impact embodied carbon
Building Size
10,000 sq ft
structure
facade
insulation
flooring
Total Embodied Carbon
5050
kg CO₂e (tons: 5.0)
Material Costs
$2k
Per sq ft: $0.16
vs Typical Building
+1%
Higher carbon footprint
Carbon Breakdown by Component
structure: Reinforced Concrete4000 kg CO₂e
facade: Clay Brick800 kg CO₂e
insulation: Fiberglass Batt150 kg CO₂e
flooring: Carpet100 kg CO₂e
Next: Operational Carbon
Explore how buildings consume energy throughout their lifetime