Reducing Embodied Carbon Insights from a Structural Sustainability Specialist BY JESSICA MARTINEZ, DCI ENGINEERS Our industry has focused on operational carbon for years. For example, we can replace the mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems with more efficient technology, but what about the building materials already in place? If the industry is to meet our near-term climate goals, focusing on embodied carbon is critical. Embodied carbon consists of all the emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, replacement, repair and eventual decommissioning of building materials. While the efficiency of building systems continues to improve and the energy grid continues to decarbonize, studies show it currently takes about 30 years for the average building to emit as much operational carbon as what was embodied in the building before those systems were even turned on. Even though we can’t change what we did in the past, we can focus on the future. This includes thoughtful design that optimizes the amount of material used in our buildings and encourages innovative manufacturing for the production of reduced carbon products at the source. MEASURING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS We measure the environmental impacts of a building through a life cycle assessment (LCA). This systematic analysis measures the associated emissions at each of the five life cycle stages: product, construction process, use, end of life and the potential benefits and burdens beyond the system boundary. Performing an LCA of a building’s environmental impact from beginning to end gives us a more complete picture and will help us make informed decisions when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. A FOCUS ON CONCRETE Concrete is the second most consumed material in the world — second only to water. At this time, the amount of concrete on a project typically drives the embodied carbon footprint and cost. It’s present in nearly every building, most commonly for its use in foundations. In commercial projects, concrete is increasingly more prevalent in floors or topping slabs for durability, and especially where needed for lateral support systems in taller buildings or those in high seismic zones. Looking ahead, as seismic design requirements for concrete become more stringent, the industry is increasingly turning to lighter materials like steel and wood to reduce overall building weight and structural loads. While this shift won’t eliminate concrete from our buildings, it will inadvertently lower embodied carbon emissions in affected structures and could make incorporating heavier concrete elements more costly in the future. 34 IDAHO ARCHITECTURE | 2025 | aiaidaho.com
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