Article date:15 November 2011
Written by:Hayley Humberstone
Despite the fact that the majority of firms know carbon reduction helps cut costs, the construction industry still accounts for 47% of total carbon emissions of the UK¹. To help companies make significant carbon and cost savings, the Environment Agency has launched a second generation Construction Carbon Calculator which is available free.
The tool was initially developed by Jacobs Engineering UK Ltd. It has subsequently been updated by a team from Jacobs and a steering group comprising carbon reduction company Sustain and Balfour Beatty. The tool allows professionals to easily calculate and reduce the embodied carbon of materials and the emissions associated with travel, transportation, site activities and waste management.
The changes incorporated into the tool include the latest data on embodied carbon in construction materials and updates to make it easier to use for professionals. Key updates include:#
- Hints and tips to reduce carbon based on materials selected
- Format changes to allow input of missing/bespoke materials
- Simplification of plant emissions, site energy use and staff travel so data can be inputted effortlessly and interpreted easily
- Updated Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) using carbon equivalents (CO2e) and other data using most appropriate units (e.g. tonnes, m², m³ etc) for the material
Dr. Craig Jones, senior associate at Sustain and a member of the steering group which helped to develop the new look Carbon Calculator said: "Industry is getting better at measuring embodied carbon and identifying the carbon hotspots. However the real value comes from reducing embodied carbon and this is an important shift in focus. The updated calculator gives users more guidance to help them reduce embodied carbon emissions, something Sustain is passionate about."
Andrew Powell, innovation manager for the Environment Agency commented, "As a public sector client and Environmental Champion we want to be the best we can be at managing our own environmental performance. Carbon reduction is at the top of our agenda and we want to share our work with others and lead by example"
The Construction Carbon Calculator will be unveiled at an event being held by Sustain and CIRIA (The Construction Industry Research and Information Association), 'Whole Life Carbon in Construction,' on the 15th November in London. The conference, which has been specially designed for construction professionals such as contractors, product manufacturers and sustainability managers, will feature addresses from leading industry experts who will present the latest developments alongside real life case histories on this pivotal subject.
The carbon calculator can be downloaded free of charge at: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/
¹BIS Department for Business Innovation& Skills: Estimating the amount of CO2 emissions that the construction industry can influence, supporting materials for the Low Carbon Construction IGT report. Autumn 2010
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