Life Cycle Assessment & EPDs
Life cycle assessments (LCA) are being increasingly employed to evaluate the environmental impacts of construction materials throughout their entire life cycle, from extraction and production to use and disposal. By considering embodied carbon alongside operational carbon (emissions generated during the use phase), sustainability professionals can make more informed decisions to reduce the overall carbon footprint of buildings and infrastructure.
What is Low Embodied Carbon Steel?
Low Embodied Carbon Steel:
Hadley Group use this method, focusing on operational improvements in line with guidance from organisations like the UN Global Compact.
Low embodied carbon steel refers to steel products manufactured with processes that generate lower carbon emissions compared to traditional steelmaking methods.
This can be achieved through various means such as:
– Using recycled steel instead of virgin iron ore, which requires less energy and reduces the need for mining and refining raw materials.
– Employing more energy-efficient production processes, such as using electric arc furnaces powered by renewable energy sources.
– Implementing carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies to capture and store carbon emissions generated during steel production.
– The goal of low embodied carbon steel is to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production of steel itself, thus contributing to mitigating climate change.Carbon Credits Steel:
Carbon credits steel involves offsetting carbon emissions associated with steel production by investing in projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere.
Steel producers can earn carbon credits by implementing emission reduction measures or investing in projects such as renewable energy, reforestation, or energy efficiency initiatives.
These carbon credits represent the reduction of one ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in greenhouse gases.
By purchasing or earning carbon credits, steel producers can offset their own emissions, effectively balancing out their carbon footprint.
Carbon credits steel allows companies to mitigate their environmental impact by supporting projects that reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions.Mass Balanced Steel:
Mass balanced steel is a concept that ensures the overall carbon footprint associated with the production of steel is balanced out through various means.
This can involve a combination of reducing emissions directly related to steel production, purchasing carbon credits to offset remaining emissions, and implementing measures to reduce emissions elsewhere in the supply chain.
Mass balancing can also involve tracking and accounting for the carbon emissions associated with inputs and outputs throughout the steel production process and supply chain.
The goal of mass balanced steel is to achieve a net-zero or reduced carbon footprint for the entire steel production process, from raw material extraction to final product manufacturing.
Why use Low Embodied Carbon Steel?
Low embodied carbon steel holds immense significance in product manufacturing across sectors such as construction, automotive, and automated warehousing. Its utilization directly addresses the pressing need for sustainability within industrial processes and contributes to increasingly challenging requirements being placed on projects from governments and consumers.
The construction industry is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions due to its extensive use of materials like steel, concrete, and asphalt. Clients, investors, and the public increasingly value sustainability and may prefer to support projects that prioritize environmental stewardship.
In industries such as automotive manufacturing, where lightweight yet durable materials are paramount, low embodied carbon steel offers a compelling solution. It provides the requisite strength and reliability while simultaneously reducing the overall environmental impact of vehicle production. This aspect is increasingly crucial as the automotive sector faces mounting pressure to transition towards greener, more sustainable practices.
Similarly, in warehousing and logistics, where structural integrity and efficiency are paramount, low embodied carbon steel presents an opportunity to build resilient infrastructure while minimizing the environmental consequences.