The Problem with Net Zero: Embodied Carbon - World Green Building Council

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The Problem with Net Zero: Embodied Carbon

Embodied carbon emissions have historically been largely overlooked yet they contribute to around 11% of all global carbon emissions. Therefore, to truly decarbonise the built environment, we must rapidly increase efforts to tackle embodied carbon emissions at a global scale. In recent years, we have seen mainstream actors accounting for whole life carbon in their decarbonisation strategies.

Do you know of a building, resource or regulation that is helping to advance this issue? Let us know here anzproject@worldgbc.org

July 2023

Show All Embodied Carbon

Rebuild or renovate: the embodied carbon conundrum

Rebuild or renovate: the embodied carbon conundrum

Financial Times

Zero Carbon Design 2030: How we plan to achieve net zero carbon on all our projects by 2030

Zero Carbon Design 2030: How we plan to achieve net zero carbon on all our projects by 2030

Appeal to De Jonge: 'Come up with a CO2 requirement for construction'

Appeal to De Jonge: 'Come up with a CO2 requirement for construction'

Circular London: Building a Rewewable City

Circular London: Building a Rewewable City

Transforming Existing Buildings from Climate Liabilities to Climate Assets

Transforming Existing Buildings from Climate Liabilities to Climate Assets

Policies Enabling the Reuse of Construction Products in the Nordics

Policies Enabling the Reuse of Construction Products in the Nordics

Nordic Sustainable Construction

May 2023

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Green Brunch - Built-in carbon calculation - the world's leading standard on the HuGBC breakfast table

Green Brunch - Built-in carbon calculation - the world's leading standard on the HuGBC breakfast table

Green Star NZ - Embodied Carbon

Green Star NZ - Embodied Carbon

10 recommendations for construction to reach net zero by 2050

10 recommendations for construction to reach net zero by 2050

GSA Launches Low-Carbon Building Materials Pilot Program

GSA Launches Low-Carbon Building Materials Pilot Program

February 2023

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This Oslo Workplace Is Made of 80 Percent Upcycled Building Materials

This Oslo Workplace Is Made of 80 Percent Upcycled Building Materials

Decarbonising cement and concrete value chains: Takeaways from Davos

Decarbonising cement and concrete value chains: Takeaways from Davos

UK trials net zero Portland cement for industrial use

UK trials net zero Portland cement for industrial use

Construction Management

January 2023

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Gammon introduces the first battery-powered crawler crane to Hong Kong to reduce carbon emissions

Gammon introduces the first battery-powered crawler crane to Hong Kong to reduce carbon emissions

ConcreteZero: providing a solid foundation for low carbon construction

ConcreteZero: providing a solid foundation for low carbon construction

December 2022

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How Denmark leads the way in decarbonising the construction industry

How Denmark leads the way in decarbonising the construction industry

A fossil-free future for steel is within reach

A fossil-free future for steel is within reach

World's first 'upcycled' skyscraper saves Australian tower from demolition

World's first 'upcycled' skyscraper saves Australian tower from demolition

June 2022

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How to calculate embodied carbon

How to calculate embodied carbon

The Institution of Structural Engineers