We have launched Version 3 of the Structural Carbon Tool, developed in collaboration with the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE). The update follows the release of RICS 2nd Edition WLCA in July, 2024.
Since its initial release in 2021, the tool has been downloaded over 10,400 times, supporting thousands of designers in making informed decisions to reduce the carbon footprint of their projects.
With the latest updates, Version 3 empowers structural engineers to take their sustainability efforts even further. With expanded capabilities including the breakdown of embodied of whole buildings including refurbishment and new built, the option to measure embodied carbon of bridges and the addition of new materials in the growing Materials Database. These updates bring the tool in line with the latest revision of the IStructE's 'How to Calculate Embodied Carbon' guide.
The Structural Carbon Tool addresses climate change head-on. Simplifying and demystifying the process of embodied carbon calculation to create more carbon-efficient designs. The open-source Excel-based tool is free to use, helping the built environment address the climate emergency on a much larger scale.
What's new in version 3?
Complies with Version 2 of the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessments Professional Statements, covering embodied, operational, and user carbon.
Provides detailed carbon breakdowns for mixed refurbishment and extension projects through a split of whole building, refurbishment and new-build.
Facilitates carbon impact assessments for new bridges.
New materials have been included in the Material Database. Including bamboo, bitumen and asphalt, hempcrete, rammed earth and fibre coatings.
Impact in Numbers
Shifting Industry Behaviours
When we launched our first version of the tool in 2021, we polled 1,200 structural engineers on how often they calculate the embodied carbon of projects.
— 56% said they never calculate embodied carbon in projects
— 2% are asked by clients for the carbon figures on the majority of projects
Since then, we are pleased to see that using tools, like The Structural Carbon Tool, to calculate embodied carbon is becoming standard practice. Recent polling at Structural Engineers Declare summit hosted by the IStructE the reported behaviours and practices of our peers were more promising with:
— 76% of Structural Engineers Declare members in attendance say their firms encourage measuring carbon and setting targets on all or certain projects.
— 55% set practice-wide project carbon targets. Setting them again industry figures or benchmark of a previous projects
As with earlier versions, the tool is available to download for free on the IStructE website. To enable all engineers, no matter a practice's size or resources, can be empowered to make better and more informed design decisions.
