Articles:

If every project was able to reduce embodied carbon by nearly 40% it would revolutionise the industry..

Although the operational carbon will accumulate overtime, a decarbonised grid will mean that the growth rate will flatten, and after 60 years the embodied carbon will still remain higher than operational carbon, as shown in Figure 2.This means that the focus and the priority should shift from operational to embodied carbon during the design..

Embodied and operational carbon increase in a decarbonised grid scenario.In this context, the request for Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) has increased notably over the last few years.The production of WLCA is required by BREEAM and the GLA.

In a BREEAM NC 2018 assessment, it is possible to achieve up to 7 credits by doing a WLCA, so for developments that aspire to Excellent or Outstanding ratings the analysis of embodied carbon has become very important.The GLA requires the preparation of a WLCA pre-planning and at post-construction and requires the analysis of the results both with the current carbon factors and a decarbonised scenario.. Additionally, bodies such as the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI), RIBA, GLA and UKGBC, have developed guidance documents on embodied carbon, which include specific targets and roadmaps to zero carbon prior 2050.

Whilst these four bodies have been essential in pushing the agenda for low carbon, there has been some confusion across the industry due to the misalignment of targets and WLCA scopes between them as demonstrated in Figure 3.

LETI has been working in collaboration with other bodies and industry groups to resolve these inconsistencies and have published the ‘Embodied carbon target alignment document’.. Based on this document and the comparison of the current targets defined by LETI, RIBA and GLA, an average performance for non-domestic commercial building performance (A-C) would be to achieve an embodied carbon around 1400kgCO.So a great choice for young people who like to be hands on while they learn.. Apprenticeship progression within Bryden Wood.

Our apprentices are part of a learning culture where all non-chartered staff are supported in gaining their chartership through a CIBSE (Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers) training scheme.(In fact, some senior staff members from Bryden Wood sit on the CIBSE Training and Diversity Group, helping to audit CIBSE accredited training schemes at other companies.)

Our commitment to learning means that everyone here has the opportunity to study for qualifications, leading to membership of professional bodies.And there is a clear pathway for each apprentice, though to Chartered Engineer level.