Embodied carbon 101

Embodied carbon, which accounts for 11 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions, refers to the emissions released during the lifecycle of building materials. Reduction strategies include using carbon-storing materials like mass timber, adopting 3D printing and robotic automation, and implementing material efficiency through modular construction. In the US, the Inflation Reduction Act provides nearly $10 billion for reducing embodied carbon, while several states have adopted 'Buy Clean' laws. RMI research indicates that low-cost embodied carbon solutions can reduce emissions by 19 to 46 percent with cost premiums under 1 percent.

• Embodied carbon comprises emissions from the extraction, manufacturing, transport, construction, and disposal of building materials, and these emissions represent 11 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
• Embodied carbon is quantified as global warming potential (GWP) in carbon dioxide equivalent units (CO2e) using life cycle assessment (LCA), with results disclosed via Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).
• Strategies to reduce embodied carbon include using carbon-storing plant materials (such as wood, hemp, straw, bamboo, and algae), recycled or reclaimed materials, and optimized design techniques like modular construction and passive design.
• In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) allocates nearly $10 billion to reduce embodied carbon impacts and $250 million for an EPD Assistance Program, while states including California, Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Oregon have adopted Buy Clean laws.
• RMI analysis shows that implementing low-cost and no-cost embodied carbon solutions can achieve emissions reductions between 19 and 46 percent while keeping cost premiums below 1 percent.

APA

RMI (2023). Embodied carbon 101. https://rmi.org/resources/embodied-carbon-101/

Chicago

RMI. Embodied carbon 101. 2023. https://rmi.org/resources/embodied-carbon-101/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=RMI |title=Embodied carbon 101 |date=27 March 2023 |url=https://rmi.org/resources/embodied-carbon-101/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{rmi2023embodied, author = {{RMI}}, title = {{Embodied carbon 101}}, institution = {RMI}, year = {2023}, month = mar, url = {https://rmi.org/resources/embodied-carbon-101/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }