The importance of Embodied Carbon

Although operational energy is critical, Embodied Carbon will account for 50% of new construction carbon emissions. to meet the objectives identified in the Developement Plan, the use of Life Cycle Assessment tools to identify both Operational and Embodied Carbon relating to all new developments in critical. The Plan has failed to address this key component to assist it with the delivery of Carbon Resilience. The Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) using an Association for the Environment Concious Building (AECB) tool PH Ribbon can account for the Life Cycle Analysis used to assess the embodied and operational Carbon of new and renewal constructions. During 2021, PHAI engaged with AECB using a Cork City Social Housing model provided by the City Archiytects Dept and achieved  a reduction  from 20.1 Tonnes to 9 Tonnes CO2e ( Carbon Dioxide Equivalent) by exploring cost effective alternative solutions and materials in the external wall, floor and footing elements alone. See article here on  p70 https://issuu.com/passivehouseplus/docs/ph_ire_issue_38_digital. 

See also the London Energy Transformation Initiative https://www.leti.london/cedg Climate Emergency Design Guide.

para 5.24 acknowledges that the residential and non residential sector accounts for 70% emissions. Reducing energy demand by taking a fabric first approach rather than reliance on the offsetting of renewables would contribute favourably to carbon emmission reduction and airquality. Many European Cities have already adopted the proven Passive House Standard to achieve this. 

In Cork we have a high density of highly trained Passivhaus Designers, Consultants, Contractors  and indeed certified manufacturers of Timber frame systems, Windows and Building Components, many of whom are exporting their innovative products successfully to Europe and the Americas.

We also have already a significant number of Passivhaus Certified projects in Cork City and County and many more under construction.

There is a high level of interest and capacity to deliver the Passivhaus standard locally which can also contribute to the built environment positively as the standard of delivery is generally of a high standard.

Cork in 2016 saw the construction of the first Certfied Passive House dwelling to achieve the Gold standard in HPI https://www.igbc.ie/certification/hpi/

More recently, the wedge house by Simply Architecture demonstrated how difficult sites could be developed sustainably. The largest PH project in the UK Goldsmith Street Housing, Norwich by Mikhail Riches Architects won the Stirling Prize 2019.  It is interesting to note that this and many other exemplary UK projects have availed of Timber frame units manufactured in Macroom Co.Cork

The PHAI would be delighted to assist in the development of an appropriate methodology to ensure embodied carbon is fully addressed for the duration of the Plan