The path forward to reducing upfront carbon in buildings
17 December 2024
Upfront carbon emissions are produced before a building is used. They're the emissions created in the production of the materials and during construction of the building, making them a tangible part of a building's fabric.
It's crucial that the construction industry address upfront carbon at the earliest stages of building development - ideally during the planning and design stages. That's because these stages are where the largest reductions can be achieved with the least effort.
Why addressing upfront carbon in buildings is critical
While operational carbon emissions - those produced during a building's use after construction - have traditionally been the focus of sustainability efforts, upfront carbon is gaining recognition for its substantial impact.
In Australia, buildings and infrastructure are directly responsible for almost one third of Australia’s total carbon emissions, and indirectly responsible for over half of all carbon emissions. Embodied carbon from construction activity in 2023 contributed 10 per cent of Australia’s total carbon emissions, with upfront carbon contributing 7 per cent. It's clear that the construction sector has a crucial role to play in decarbonisation.
Get the right carbon data with Rebuilt
Rebuilt supports the construction industry in addressing upfront carbon through the following features, designed for manufacturers, suppliers and specifiers.
Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) certification
Rebuilt provides fast, affordable, and accurate PCF calculations, enabling manufacturers to easily quantify and disclose product carbon footprints.
Product comparison and specification
Architects, designers and specifiers can compare and specify materials, improving their ability to choose low-carbon options and meet the sustainability goals of their projects.
Regulatory compliance in line with global standards
Rebuilt helps companies meet mandatory carbon reporting requirements with PCFs that align with global and national standards such as ISO, ISSB, and NABERS.
Taking action at the earliest stages
Reducing upfront carbon requires collaboration across the supply chain. Architects, designers and other specifiers play a pivotal role by:
> Prioritising low-carbon products and materials when specifying.
> Requiring manufacturers to transparently share product carbon data, and working with the supply chain by providing feedback on where improvements to the data can be made.
> Advocating for early integration of decarbonisation strategies during project planning and design.
Key strategies to reduce upfront carbon in construction projects
Material selection
Opt for materials with lower upfront carbon, such as sustainably sourced timber or recycled materials. Rebuilt's platform provides access to a database of low-carbon materials and a comparison tool that makes sustainable choices easy.
Planning and design with sustainability principles
Follow design principles that minimise material usage without compromising structural integrity.
Reuse and recycle
Prioritise the reuse of existing structures and materials to decrease the demand for new resources.
Local sourcing
Procure materials from local suppliers to minimise transportation emissions.
Addressing upfront carbon is essential if the construction industry is to meet global sustainability targets. By leveraging Rebuilt's platform, the supply chain can play a critical role in reducing the carbon footprint of the built environment.