The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has set a target of 625 kilograms of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) per metre square of floor area, per year as part of its 2030 Climate Challenge targets for domestic buildings. This matches the targets set by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
For larger buildings over 133m2, this target is set higher at 450kgCO2e/m2, and for non-domestic buildings, a lower target of 750kgCO2e/m2.
Great! So, we have our targets. How do we achieve them?
Understanding Embodied Carbon
To understand the importance of these targets, you’ll need to understand what embodied carbon actually means. In simple terms, embodied carbon refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted during the lifecycle of a building material. This includes extraction, manufacturing, transportation, construction, maintenance and replacement, and demolition and disposal. The emissions are considered embodied because they are locked into the material and its processes.
Operational carbon is the opposite, where the emissions come from the energy used to heat, cool and power a building once it’s built. We’ll talk about operational carbon in another post.
Embodied carbon takes into account more than just carbon dioxide. It also includes methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. By expressing these gases in carbon dioxide equivalents, CO2e allows for a standardised way to compare their impacts on global warming (Global Warming Potential, or GWP).
What are the implications of the RIAI Climate Challenge target?
To meet the targets set by the RIAI, the construction industry needs to take a comprehensive approach. From sustainable material selection, more efficient construction practices, putting more thought into the entire lifecycle, to the operational efficiency of our buildings.
Material choice will be essential to meeting the targets. Designers will need to put more thought into lower-carbon materials like recycled steel, sustainably sourced timber, and low-carbon insulation (like low-carbon EPS). Designers will also need to think outside the box, considering options like modular construction which can help reduce the carbon footprint of construction processes.
Construction practices will also need to change. Practices that reduce waste and energy on-site, and the sourcing of goods and materials locally that can slash transportation-related emissions are good ways to start. Systems like KORE’s Insulated Foundation System can reduce embodied carbon in a single element of the building by more than 30 percent compared to traditional strip foundations insulated with PIR. Asking manufacturers for Environmental Product Declarations for the products you use is a good way to verify the carbon-related data, including the Global Warming Potential.
Designers will need to place more emphasis on the maintenance and lifespan of our buildings, designing for durability and lower maintenance, and reducing the need for extensive refurbishments or renovations during the building’s lifecycle.
What does this mean for building regulations?
While embodied carbon targets have not yet been legislated or incorporated into our building regulations, now is a good time to start thinking about reducing embodied and operational carbon as it will become a priority in the near future.
There are many innovative ways to start incorporating products with lower embodied carbon into your projects and processes, whether you’re building with an insulated foundation system, insulating a cavity wall with KORE Fill, or replacing insulation with products like low carbon expanded polystyrene.
We’re adapting our products and services to be able to help our clients with their own carbon journey. Whether you’re in social housing or local government, a small business owner or a large-scale developer, we’ve been gathering data to ensure we are all able to make informed, meaningful decisions.
To learn more about embodied carbon, life cycle analysis and environmental product declarations, download the KORE Insulation Guide to Embodied Carbon, EPDs and LCA.