Efforts to reduce the embodied carbon emissions of building materials
Source: https://www.usgbc.org/, January 10, 2024
The embodied carbon of construction and building materials is often overlooked, even though it is estimated to contribute roughly 11% of global emissions. This includes the emissions that result from the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation and disposal of products like steel, concrete, insulation, drywall and other materials. USGBC has led the way by launching a pilot credit for LEED to encourage developers to procure lower-carbon building materials.
In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports, homes and buildings account for more than 30% of the country’s emissions, which includes both on- and off-site sources. However, this does not account for the embodied carbon of building materials. Read more.
