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 UK. 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.
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.”