SPECIALIST INSIGHT

With a steadfast commitment to excellence , sustainability and safety , CIBSE nurtures a vibrant community of over 20,000 professionals worldwide for over 125 years . Dr Mylona , CIBSE ’ s Technical Director , plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution ’ s technical vision and driving its strategic initiatives forward . With a rich background in architectural training and extensive research experience focused on the environmental performance of buildings , Dr Mylona brings a wealth of expertise to her role , guiding CIBSE ’ s efforts to provide invaluable advice and guidance to government , industry stakeholders and professionals around the globe .

The journey towards embodied carbon reduction starts with understanding the elements that are contributing the most to the embodied carbon of buildings .

Could you elaborate on the concept of embodied carbon and its significance in building services ? Why is it crucial to address this aspect of carbon emissions now , and what implications does it have for the industry ’ s sustainability efforts ?

Embodied carbon is the carbon emissions of a building before it becomes operational . It is associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole lifecycle of a building including during the manufacturing of building materials , their transportation and the construction process . It also refers to the carbon produced maintaining the building and eventually demolishing it , transporting the waste and recycling it .

Join us as we delve into the world of sustainable building practices with Dr Anastasia Mylona , Technical Director , CIBSE . In this exclusive interview , she sheds light on the critical issue of embodied carbon in Mechanical , Electrical and Plumbing ( MEP ) equipment and shares insights into reducing environmental impact while advancing global best practices .

As our industry reduces our operational energy i . e . reduces the energy demand as a result of energy efficiency measures , policies , new technological advances , etc ., reducing the embodied carbon of our buildings becomes the next biggest challenge . The journey towards embodied carbon reduction starts with understanding the elements that are contributing the most to the embodied carbon of buildings .

What is the contribution of the embodied carbon of building services in new and retrofitted buildings , during their lifecycle ?

According to GLA ’ s Whole Life Cycle carbon assessment guidance , the embodied carbon of building services in new buildings is on average 25 % and in retrofits , it could be up to 75 %.

How does embodied carbon compare to operational carbon during the lifecycle of a building ?

Most of a building ’ s embodied carbon occurs during its construction . It represents 30 % of a building ’ s total carbon on average , the rest being operational carbon . Our efforts to reduce operational carbon will change the ratio between operational and embodied carbon in buildings ( from 30 % to 80 % embodied carbon ) while reducing the total carbon in buildings over time .

What elements increase the embodied carbon of MEP ( mechanical , electrical , plumbing ) equipment and how can a deeper understanding of these elements lead to effective reduction strategies ?

Equipment is complex systems with multiple components , following intense manufacturing processes , use of refrigerants , transported from various locations , etc . Understanding the embodied carbon of individual components , from virgin material to manufacturing processes and transportation is crucial in creating less carbon-intensive products .

What can the industry do to reduce the embodied carbon of MEP equipment in buildings ?

Prioritising passive design options is crucial in reducing reliance on MEP equipment . For instance , the strategic utilisation of openable windows for ventilation can significantly diminish the necessity for mechanical ventilation systems . Additionally , avoiding overengineering by meticulously designing and positioning systems can minimise the amount of equipment required , such as reducing the length of pipes .

Moreover , it ’ s imperative to steer clear of oversizing systems . This involves comprehensively understanding building requirements , including factors like indoor environment , occupant profiles and HVAC demand cycles and sizing systems accordingly . Often , systems are sized for worst-case scenarios and further capacity is added , leading to unnecessary oversizing and compromising the efficiency of the system .

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