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Services

  • Environment
  • Engineering
  • Planning
  • Safety
  • Net Zero & Decarbonisation
  • Sustainability Consulting

Environment

  • Arboriculture & Forestry Consultancy Services
  • Acoustics, Noise & Vibration Consultants | UK & Ireland
  • Air Quality
  • Archaeology & Heritage
  • Contaminated Land & Remediation
  • Ecology & Biodiversity
  • Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Construction Environmental Management
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Flood Risk
  • Glint & Glare
  • Hydrology & Hydrogeology
  • Landscape & Visual
  • Soils & Peat
  • Waste

Engineering

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  • Structural Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineering
  • Temporary & Enabling Works
  • Process Engineering
  • Energy Engineering
  • Energy Analysis
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Water & Wastewater
  • Surveying
  • Asset Integrity
  • Project Management

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  • Transport Planning

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  • Health & Safety
  • Occupation Hygiene Monitoring
  • CDM
  • COMAH

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  • Industrial & Commercial Energy Solutions
  • Energy Generation Feasibility Design
  • Net Zero Strategy & Climate Transition Plans
  • Carbon Footprint & Reporting
  • Product Carbon Footprint & Reduction
  • Buildings & Infrastructure Carbon Footprint & Reduction
  • Carbon Verification & Assurance
  • Net Zero and Decarbonisation Training

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  • Sustainability Strategy, Reporting and Verification
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Embodied Carbon Assessment (ECA)
Home | Services | Product Carbon Footprint & Reduction | Embodied Carbon Assessment (ECA)

Embodied Carbon Assessment (ECA)

Lifecycle Carbon Insights for Materials and Design

View All Product Carbon Footprint & Reduction Services
What is embodied carbon?

What is embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the extraction, manufacturing, transport, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life of materials and products. Unlike operational emissions, embodied carbon is locked in from the outset, making early-stage decisions critical for reducing impact and designing for circularity.

Our Embodied Carbon Assessment (ECA) services

Arthian helps organisations assess and reduce embodied carbon across buildings, products, and infrastructure. Our services include feasibility scoping, data modelling, hotspot analysis, reduction strategy, and reporting—tailored to your project type, sector, and sustainability goals.

Our Embodied Carbon Services

Our services include:

Feasibility & scope definition
Data collection & modelling
Carbon hotspot analysis & reduction strategy
Reporting & communication
Net Zero & circularity integration
Tool-agnostic delivery
Policy & supply chain engagement

Feasibility & scope definition

We define project boundaries, objectives, and methodology—covering cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-site, or full lifecycle—aligned with RICS or PAS 2080 standards. This initial scoping ensures your embodied carbon assessment is strategically focused, technically robust, and tailored to your project’s goals and constraints.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Clarifying project objectives, such as compliance, benchmarking, or Net Zero alignment
  • Defining lifecycle boundaries, including cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-site, or full lifecycle (cradle-to-grave)
  • Selecting appropriate standards and guidance, such as RICS Whole Life Carbon or PAS 2080
  • Identifying relevant materials, systems, and data sources for inclusion
  • Outlining a delivery roadmap, including key stages, responsibilities, and reporting outputs

Data collection & modelling

We gather material and process data, model emissions using EPDs and carbon databases, and support assessments across new builds, retrofits, and manufacturing. Our approach ensures your embodied carbon analysis is grounded in reliable data and aligned with industry standards, enabling meaningful insights and actionable outcomes.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Collecting material quantities and specifications from drawings, BIM models, and procurement data
  • Sourcing emissions factors from verified EPDs, carbon databases, and industry benchmarks
  • Modelling embodied carbon impacts across lifecycle stages (A1–A5, B, C, and D where relevant)
  • Supporting assessments for diverse project types, including new construction, retrofit, and product manufacturing
  • Identifying carbon hotspots and reduction opportunities, to inform design and procurement decisions

Carbon hotspot analysis & reduction strategy

We identify high-impact materials and design choices, and recommend strategies like material substitution, design optimisation, and supplier engagement. This helps you target the most carbon-intensive elements of your project and develop practical, cost-effective pathways to reduce embodied emissions.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Analysing lifecycle data to pinpoint materials, components, or processes with the highest embodied carbon
  • Recommending material substitutions, such as low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, or bio-based alternatives
  • Advising on design optimisation, including structural efficiency, modularity, and reduced material use
  • Engaging with suppliers, to source lower-impact products and improve transparency
  • Quantifying potential carbon savings, to support decision-making and reporting
Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)

Reporting & communication

We deliver clear, standards-aligned reports with lifecycle breakdowns, benchmarks, and reduction recommendations, ready for clients, investors, and certifications. Our reporting supports compliance with frameworks like RICS and PAS 2080, while providing actionable insights to inform design decisions, procurement strategies, and sustainability communications.

Net Zero & circularity integration

We align embodied carbon insights with Net Zero goals, circular design principles, and broader sustainability strategies. By embedding carbon data into strategic decision-making, we help you reduce lifecycle impacts, support circularity, and demonstrate progress against climate commitments.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Linking embodied carbon results to Net Zero pathways and reduction targets
  • Advising on circular design strategies, including reuse, modularity, and material recovery
  • Integrating findings into ESG reporting, sustainability frameworks, and client communications
  • Supporting design and procurement decisions that balance performance, cost, and carbon impact

Tool-agnostic delivery

We work with leading LCA and carbon tools, integrating seamlessly into your existing workflows and project platforms.

Policy & supply chain engagement

We support policy development, procurement alignment, and supplier collaboration to embed embodied carbon thinking across your organisation.

Feasibility & scope definition

We define project boundaries, objectives, and methodology—covering cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-site, or full lifecycle—aligned with RICS or PAS 2080 standards. This initial scoping ensures your embodied carbon assessment is strategically focused, technically robust, and tailored to your project’s goals and constraints.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Clarifying project objectives, such as compliance, benchmarking, or Net Zero alignment
  • Defining lifecycle boundaries, including cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-site, or full lifecycle (cradle-to-grave)
  • Selecting appropriate standards and guidance, such as RICS Whole Life Carbon or PAS 2080
  • Identifying relevant materials, systems, and data sources for inclusion
  • Outlining a delivery roadmap, including key stages, responsibilities, and reporting outputs

Data collection & modelling

We gather material and process data, model emissions using EPDs and carbon databases, and support assessments across new builds, retrofits, and manufacturing. Our approach ensures your embodied carbon analysis is grounded in reliable data and aligned with industry standards, enabling meaningful insights and actionable outcomes.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Collecting material quantities and specifications from drawings, BIM models, and procurement data
  • Sourcing emissions factors from verified EPDs, carbon databases, and industry benchmarks
  • Modelling embodied carbon impacts across lifecycle stages (A1–A5, B, C, and D where relevant)
  • Supporting assessments for diverse project types, including new construction, retrofit, and product manufacturing
  • Identifying carbon hotspots and reduction opportunities, to inform design and procurement decisions

Carbon hotspot analysis & reduction strategy

We identify high-impact materials and design choices, and recommend strategies like material substitution, design optimisation, and supplier engagement. This helps you target the most carbon-intensive elements of your project and develop practical, cost-effective pathways to reduce embodied emissions.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Analysing lifecycle data to pinpoint materials, components, or processes with the highest embodied carbon
  • Recommending material substitutions, such as low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, or bio-based alternatives
  • Advising on design optimisation, including structural efficiency, modularity, and reduced material use
  • Engaging with suppliers, to source lower-impact products and improve transparency
  • Quantifying potential carbon savings, to support decision-making and reporting
Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)

Reporting & communication

We deliver clear, standards-aligned reports with lifecycle breakdowns, benchmarks, and reduction recommendations, ready for clients, investors, and certifications. Our reporting supports compliance with frameworks like RICS and PAS 2080, while providing actionable insights to inform design decisions, procurement strategies, and sustainability communications.

Net Zero & circularity integration

We align embodied carbon insights with Net Zero goals, circular design principles, and broader sustainability strategies. By embedding carbon data into strategic decision-making, we help you reduce lifecycle impacts, support circularity, and demonstrate progress against climate commitments.
 
Our support includes:

     

  • Linking embodied carbon results to Net Zero pathways and reduction targets
  • Advising on circular design strategies, including reuse, modularity, and material recovery
  • Integrating findings into ESG reporting, sustainability frameworks, and client communications
  • Supporting design and procurement decisions that balance performance, cost, and carbon impact

Tool-agnostic delivery

We work with leading LCA and carbon tools, integrating seamlessly into your existing workflows and project platforms.

Policy & supply chain engagement

We support policy development, procurement alignment, and supplier collaboration to embed embodied carbon thinking across your organisation.

Why Choose Arthian's Carbon Consultants?

Why Choose Arthian's Carbon Consultants?

Integration

Fully integrated with geotechnical, hydrological, and ecological disciplines.

Our Experience

National experience with regional insight and regulatory familiarity.

Our Understanding

Deep understanding of planning, infrastructure, and environmental interfaces.

Results Driven

Commitment to technical rigour, clear communication, and long-term outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is embodied carbon?

Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials and products.

Why is embodied carbon important to assess?

It can represent a significant share of a building’s total footprint, especially as operational emissions decline. Assessing it is key to lifecycle carbon reduction.

How does an Embodied Carbon Assessment differ from an operational carbon assessment?

Operational carbon covers energy use during occupancy; embodied carbon measures emissions embedded in materials and construction.

What stages of a building’s lifecycle are included in an Embodied Carbon Assessment?

Typically, assessments include product stage, construction stage, and may extend to maintenance, replacement, and end-of-life.

Get in Touch

We’d love to hear from you – whether you have a question, a project in mind, want to explore job opportunities, or just want to say hello.

Contact Us
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