Embodied carbon vs operational carbon: What's the difference and why does it matter?

clock • 4 min read

The building sector to take a holistic approach to tackling its climate impact - and that involves looking at both embodied and operational emissions, explains Steve McGregor, group MD of DMA Group

As we head towards the highly anticipated 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (better known as COP26), the light being shone on net zero has never been brighter. The summit, held in Glasgow...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

In just a few clicks you can start your free BusinessGreen Lite membership for 12 months, providing you access to:

  • Three complimentary articles per month covering the latest real-time news, analysis, and opinion from Europe’s leading source of information on the Green economy and business
  • Receive important and breaking news stories via our daily news alert
  • Our weekly newsletter with the best of the week’s green business news and analysis

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Buildings

Why healthy buildings will define the next era of sustainability
Buildings

Why healthy buildings will define the next era of sustainability

Healthier buildings aren't a design fad - they're a strategic imperative for ESG performance, operational resilience, workforce well-being, talent retention and more, writes ABB's Mike Mustapha

Mike Mustapha, ABB
clock 06 June 2025 • 5 min read
To achieve net zero in the built environment, we must agree on carbon measurement
Buildings

To achieve net zero in the built environment, we must agree on carbon measurement

A consistent, rigorous and global approach is needed for measuring the embodied carbon in buildings - which is where the new BREEAM methodology comes in, writes BRE's Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson, Building Research Establishment (BRE).
clock 05 June 2025 • 4 min read
Survey: More than half of architects reject building suppliers without strong sustainability credentials
Buildings

Survey: More than half of architects reject building suppliers without strong sustainability credentials

Survey shows increased demand from architects for clear sustainability credentials from manufacturers, including embodied carbon data

Amber Rolt
clock 27 May 2025 • 2 min read