Embodied Carbon in Structures: Insights, Solutions, & RJC’s Commitment

Pushing the Envelope | Spring 2024
Dominic Mattman, BASc, MASc, P.Eng., LEED® AP | Associate
Duncan Rowe, BASc, MEng, P.ENG., LEED® AP, BECxP, CPHD | Principal

In sustainable building construction, a critical factor often goes unnoticed: em­bodied carbon. Let’s explore the signifi­cance of this silent emissions contributor and understand why it’s crucial for global climate goals.

WHAT IS EMBODIED CARBON?

Embodied carbon refers to the carbon emissions produced during the life cycle of building materials, from raw material extrac­tion to manufacturing, transport, installation, and end of life. Most of these emissions occur before a building is even in use.

THE FOUNDATION: A TORONTO-BASED CASE STUDY

The insights and perspectives shared throughout this article are rooted in the com­prehensive study titled, “Embodied Carbon in Residential Structures: A Toronto Based Case Study,” which was jointly conducted by RJC Engineers and BDP Quadrangle, dated September 12, 2023.

This research underscores the environ­mental significance of embodied carbon, especially during the manufacturing and con­struction phases of buildings. For a deeper dive into the study’s findings, we recommend exploring the full publication.¹

OFTEN OVERLOOKED: THE IMPACT OF EMBODIED CARBON

While operational emissions from build­ings in use have been the primary concern for decades, the industry is shifting focus toward this often-neglected contributor. The reason for this shift in attention is twofold. Firstly, as building designs become more energy-effi­cient, and fuel is switched to cleaner energy sources, the relative contribution of embod­ied carbon to the total carbon footprint of a building increases. Secondly, the immediacy of the emissions from building materials – released during extraction, production, and construction phases – means they have an immediate impact on our environment, even before a building is operational. Recognizing and addressing embodied carbon, therefore, becomes essential in achieving true sustaina­bility in the built environment.

WHY EMBODIED CARBON MATTERS NOW

With the International Energy Agency reporting that buildings and their construc­tion account for 36 per cent of global energy use and 39 per cent of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, it’s clear that the building sector plays a pivotal role in the global carbon emissions landscape.

So why is this the case? Here are some critical aspects to consider:

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