Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions (also known as Embodied Carbon Emissions) refer to the CO₂ emissions generated throughout the entire lifecycle of a product or material – from raw material extraction and production to recycling or disposal. They play a crucial role in corporate carbon accounting, particularly in Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) analysis.

Embodied greenhouse gas emissions include all emissions generated along a product's value chain before it is used. These emissions are composed of several phases:

1. Raw Material Extraction & Processing

• Emissions from raw material extraction (e.g., ore mining for steel, petroleum processing for plastics)
• Energy consumption and emissions from processing (e.g., melting, casting, chemical processes)

2. Production & Manufacturing

• Direct emissions from the production of components and final products
• Use of electricity, heat, or fuels in manufacturing

3. Transport & Logistics

• Emissions from transporting raw materials to production sites
• Transport of semi-finished and finished products through the supply chain or to customers

4. End-of-Life Phase (Depending on System Boundaries)

• Emissions from recycling, reuse, or disposal of a product

Difference from operational emissions

While operational emissions occur during the use phase of a product or building (e.g., energy consumption), embodied emissions exist before the product is even used.
In industries such as construction, automotive, and manufacturing, embodied emissions make up a significant portion of total emissions.

Why Reducing Embodied Greenhouse Gas Emissions Matters

For manufacturing companies, reducing embodied emissions is crucial to meet climate targets and comply with regulatory requirements. Key aspects include:

• Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) & Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
• Regulatory requirements & CSRD reporting
• Risk management & sustainable procurement

Tanso supports manufacturing companies in calculating, analyzing, and effectively reducing embodied greenhouse gas emissions.