RICS has published a methodology to calculate the total carbon emitted for a building, known as embodied carbon, across the entire property lifecycle from construction through to demolition.
The measurement is a crucial development in the world of carbon accounting as embodied carbon is increasingly becoming a more significant part of the overall carbon burden for properties.
Often embodied carbon levels reach up to 70% of the total carbon in very low energy thermal mass buildings, (buildings made up of materials such as brick, concrete, stone and tile) which reduces the operational energy. If embodied carbon was not considered, properties such as these may not become carbon positive for over 40 years, rather spoiling the savings made during their operation and making them unsustainable in the long term.
For building professionals, most notably Chartered Surveyors, the methodology provides a fuller understanding of the impacts of decisions made at the design and construction stage on the whole life carbon emissions for a building.
By focussing on the carbon significant items, surveyors will be able to provide advice on the different design options, looking at carbon as well as the cost, to provide the best and most balanced solutions. These will increasingly become a vital tool in the surveyors' armoury as the need to reduce the emissions of CO2 in order to combat the effects of climate change.
Martin Russell-Croucher, RICS Director of Special Projects and Sustainability, commented:
"Our newly published methodology is an exciting step in the world of carbon accounting; measuring the total carbon emitted for a building across the property lifecycle.
"Embodied carbon is an increasingly significant part of the overall carbon burden in properties and should be considered as part of the design and construction phases of a building.
"By focusing on the carbon-significant items, surveyors, particularly Quantity Surveyors will be able to advise on the different design options - looking at carbon as well as the cost - to provide the best, balanced solutions. These will increasingly become a vital tool in the surveyor's armoury for reducing CO2 emissions in order to combat the effects of climate change."
A copy of RICS Methodology to Calculate Embodied Carbon Global Guidance Note can be found at www.rics.org/Global/RICS-Embodied-carbon-2014.pdf
About RICS
RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction.
In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.
Over 100 000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.
RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity - providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.
For more information:
Karen Levent, Marketing and Communications Manager, MENA
E klevent@rics.org
RICS - The mark of property professionalism worldwide
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© Press Release 2014
