Free embodied carbon calculator for buildings using ICE Database v4.1 emission factors. Estimate kgCO2e/m² for construction materials, compare to LETI and RIBA 2030 benchmarks.
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Embodied carbon represents the greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing, transporting, and installing building materials—often 30-50% of a building's lifetime carbon impact. Our Building Embodied Carbon Calculator uses ICE Database v4.1 emission factors to estimate your project's upfront carbon (A1-A5), compare to LETI and RIBA 2030 targets, and identify reduction strategies.
Embodied carbon (also called upfront carbon) refers to the CO2e emissions associated with building materials and construction. This includes raw material extraction (A1), transport to manufacturer (A2), manufacturing (A3), transport to site (A4), and construction/installation (A5). The EN 15978 standard defines these lifecycle stages. Unlike operational carbon from heating and cooling, embodied carbon is 'locked in' once a building is constructed—making early design decisions critical.
Embodied Carbon Formula
EC (kgCO₂e) = Σ (Material Quantity × Emission Factor)As operational energy becomes cleaner, embodied carbon represents an increasing share of building lifecycle emissions.
Industry benchmarks require residential buildings below 300 kgCO₂e/m² and offices below 350 kgCO₂e/m² by 2030.
Growing regulations (GLA, EU Taxonomy, buy clean policies) mandate embodied carbon reporting and limits.
Compare structural systems, cladding options, and insulation to minimize carbon impact.
Developers and investors increasingly require whole-life carbon assessments for ESG reporting.
Reducing material use often reduces both embodied carbon and construction costs.
Compare design options and material choices at early stages when carbon reductions are most achievable.
Evaluate frame options—concrete vs steel vs mass timber—with embodied carbon data.
Provide screening-level embodied carbon estimates for client projects.
Assess project carbon performance against industry benchmarks and investor requirements.
Identify lower-carbon material substitutions during procurement.
Learn about embodied carbon concepts and material emission factors.
EN 15978 defines building lifecycle stages: A1-A3 (Product stage: raw materials, transport, manufacturing), A4-A5 (Construction: transport to site, installation), B1-B7 (Use: maintenance, repair, replacement, operational energy/water), C1-C4 (End of life: demolition, transport, waste processing, disposal), and D (Benefits beyond system boundary: reuse, recycling). Most embodied carbon calculations focus on A1-A5 'upfront carbon' as this is locked in at construction.