Edinburgh Napier University

  Building-related carbon emissions in the UK total over 200MtCO2e, which is more than 40% of the national figure. The correct measurement of the embodied carbon of structural materials would enable a reliable and correct assessment of the carbon intensity of building structures. This would allow the UK to monitor and mitigate its building-related carbon emissions and progress effectively towards its mid-century carbon targets. How can this be achieved? Establishing the embodied carbon of building structures for different building types – all other things being equal – would produce realistic and reliable numbers as well as design guidelines, which would facilitate a quicker and wider transition to a low-carbon built environment.