RESOURCES

Operational carbon refers to the total from all energy sources used to keep our buildings warm, cool, ventilated, lighted and powered.

Typical energy sources for this purpose are electricity and natural gas, with occasional contributions from fuel oil, propane and wood.

In the building industry, embodied carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions arising from the manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials.

In contrast, operational carbon refers to the greenhouse gas emissions due to building energy consumption.

Embodied carbon refers to carbon dioxide emitted during the manufacture, transport and construction of building materials.