Table 2.4 Embodied carbon targets

 Designing a project around a site topography, reusing excavated soil and reducing the amount removed from site.

Build low carbon

 Reduce the use of high embodied carbon materials.  Identify the largest carbon contributors in the building especially in the early design phase and finding solutions.  Take in consideration and apply when suitable natural and renewable materials.  Use prefabrication and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) solutions for reduction of the embodied carbon.

Build for the future  Future uses and adaptability are considered.  Mechanically fix systems rather than adhesive fix so they can be demounted and reused or recycled, supporting a circular economy.  Explore methods of creating longevity for materials without additional coatings, as they can reduce the recyclability of the material.  The LETI embodied carbon targets for residential buildings are shown in Table below.

Residential building type

Table 2.4Embodied carbon targets[30]

Conventional building 2020 target 2030 target Whole life net zero target

Small scale residential 800 kgCO2e/m2

Medium scale residential Small scale and medium material use 1000 kgCO2e/m2

0-10% are reused materials

0-10% are reusable material at the end of the buildings` life-cycle 500 kgCO2e/m2 400 kgCO2e/m2

600 kgCO2e/m2 500 kgCO2e/m2

30% of the material in the building is reused

50% of the material to be reusable at the end of the buildings` life-cycle 300 kgCO2e/m2 200kgCO2e/m2 0 kgCO2e/m2 -100 350 kgCO2e/m2 kgCO2e/m2 250 kgCO2e/m2

50% of the material in the building is reused 100% of the material in the building is reused

80% of the material to be reusable at the end of the buildings` life-cycle 100% of the material to be reusable at the end of the buildings` lifecycle

Embodied carbon target (building life cycle stages A1-A5). It includes Substructure, Superstructure, MEP, facade and internal finishes.

Embodied carbon target (as previously) while including sequestration.