About the MECLA Upfront Carbon in the Built Environment Discussion Paper
A discussion paper on upfront carbon standards, measurement methods, benchmarking and resources for construction materials, buildings and infrastructure prepared by MECLA.
The MECLA Upfront Carbon in the Built Environment Discussion Paper
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The MECLA Upfront Carbon in the Built Environment Discussion PaperExecutive Summary
Members of the Materials Embodied Carbon Leaders’ Alliance (MECLA) Working Group 2 were tasked with authoring a discussion paper that documented the state of play on upfront embodied carbon standards, measurement, benchmarking and resources for construction materials, buildings and infrastructure.
The scope of the exercise was limited to upfront carbon and the single impact indicator, Global Warming Potential (GWP) in kg CO2-e.
This paper does not make recommendations. It is a snapshot of information at a point in time and a mechanism to seek feedback from industry stakeholders to inform future work directions.
The Chairs and Committees of WG2 thank all of the participants of WG2 for their input and efforts in constructing this document.
Embodied / Upfront carbon measurement and benchmarking is in a dynamic state, which is evident from the information presented in this document. Although the practices have been developing over the last two decades, the declaration of the Climate Emergency has transformed the environment for this practice and science.
This paper aims to document the dynamic aspects in all parts of the method at the level of materials, whole building and infrastructure. A critical goal for the sector is to evolve measurement approaches that allow for consistent, comparable and reliable benchmarking – or sufficient capacity in the sector to make adjustments to achieve suitable comparability. The goal of “apples for apples” comparability has been central to cost consulting aims for decades. The development of operating carbon measurement and benchmarking also evolved over a decade.
For the industry to succeed in achieving deep reductions in a timely manner, measurement and metrics are essential. It is clear that more investment at all levels of government and industry is of merit – we ask that you consider the questions posed in the survey and provide helpful input – which is framed within the context of MECLA’s core mission of:
- reducing barriers to entry and action
- increasing uptake of embodied carbon mitigation at all scales
- enabling the industry to take action on all fronts.
Feedback on the Discussion Paper
Use the form below to provide feedback on the MECLA Upfront Carbon in the Built Environment Discussion Paper.
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We are well aware that there are many other contributing indicators of sustainability and stages in the life cycle of a building. So please limit your comments on the discussion paper to the scope of the discussion paper: upfront carbon and the single impact indicator, Global Warming Potential (GWP) in kg CO2-e.
MECLA welcomes feedback general and specific. Please complete as much or as little of the survey form as you wish. It is estimated that answering all questions will take approximately 45 minutes. Please prepare responses prior to submission as you will not be able to save and return to this form.