What is Embodied Carbon?

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions created during the production of a product or building — before it’s even used. This includes emissions from extracting raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, construction, and disposal. In industries like construction and manufacturing, embodied carbon can make up a huge portion of a product’s total climate impact.

How does it work?

Companies calculate embodied carbon by looking at the full lifecycle of materials and products, including:

• Raw material extraction
• Manufacturing and processing
• Transportation and shipping
• Construction or installation
• End-of-life disposal or recycling

The goal is to identify where emissions are highest and reduce them through better materials, cleaner energy, local sourcing, or circular design.

Is it “good”?

Paying attention to embodied carbon is increasingly considered essential — especially in construction, fashion, manufacturing, and consumer goods. It helps companies address emissions that happen long before a product reaches consumers.

Common in:

• Construction and architecture
• Building materials
• Fashion and textiles
• Furniture and consumer products
• Manufacturing