Embodied carbon, which is the emissions tied to producing, transporting, and disposing of building materials, has become a critical focus alongside operational energy. The building sector already drives about a third of global energy use and CO₂ emissions, with carbon-intensive materials like cement and steel accounting for a major share. Unlike operational energy, embodied carbon is “upfront”: released before a building opens. WorldGBC projects it will make up roughly half of all new construction emissions by 2050, and studies confirm that in highly efficient buildings, embodied carbon can exceed 50% of lifetime emissions.
Material hotspots are clear. Cement and concrete generate ~7–8% of global CO₂, and the IEA notes they must cut intensity by ~4% annually through 2030 to align with net zero. Steel produces several gigatons of CO₂ each year, still largely coal-based, though pathways like hydrogen-based direct reduction and recycled scrap are scaling. Aluminum, responsible for ~2% of global GHGs, can see steep reductions when powered by renewables and produced with high recycled content.
This is why low-carbon material innovation is crucial. At ECOR, panels are manufactured from 100% recycled fibers without resins, binders, or toxic chemicals, offering a radically lower-carbon alternative to traditional wood-based boards. By sourcing locally and producing through decentralized systems, ECOR also reduces emissions from long-haul transport, directly addressing both embodied carbon and supply chain impacts.
Solutions center on early design and verified measurement. Whole-life carbon assessments (WLCA) based on EPDs (EN 15804, ISO 14040/14044) and RICS’ WLCA standards provide consistent baselines. WorldGBC calls for 40% embodied carbon cuts by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Practical levers include reuse and retrofits, leaner design, lower-clinker cement mixes, green steel and aluminum, and procurement rules requiring EPDs. Industry “breakthrough” targets for near-zero cement and steel by 2030 signal momentum.
In short, embodied carbon is no longer a side issue. It’s only half the battle in building decarbonization, and the tools to cut it are already here.
Sources: IEA. Tracking Buildings 2023. (2023). https://www.iea.org/reports/tracking-buildings-2023
World Green Building Council. Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront. (2019). https://worldgbc.org/article/bringing-embodied-carbon-upfront/
RICS. Whole Life Carbon Assessment Professional Standard. (2023). https://www.rics.org/news-insights/whole-life-carbon-assessment-professional-standard-published/
IEA. Cement – Global Energy Sector. (2024). https://www.iea.org/energy-system/buildings/cement
IEA. Iron and Steel Technology Roadmap. (2022). https://www.iea.org/reports/iron-and-steel-technology-roadmap
International Aluminium Institute. Global Aluminium Statistics. (2023). https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/
Mission Possible Partnership. Net-Zero Steel Initiative. (2022). https://missionpossiblepartnership.org/net-zero-steel/