Embodied Carbon
This award recognises exceptional contributions to understanding and reducing embodied carbon in building services. Embodied carbon is increasingly acknowledged as a major contributor to carbon emissions and must be addressed alongside operational carbon to meet net zero carbon goals.
Winner: Michael Lonsdale Group
In the last two years the Michael J Lonsdale Group (MLG) has acted as champions of the embodied carbon model in the building services contracting sector, paving the way for other companies to think critically about their own carbon impacts.
Its innovative approach to measuring, tracking and analysing embodied carbon figures, as well as its commitment to external knowledge-sharing on the subject, makes the company a standout candidate for this award.
Efficient data processing is a crucial aspect of embodied carbon reduction and the MLG Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to ensuring its methodologies are well adapted to new requirements.
MLG has devised an internal Embodied Carbon Questionnaire to extract data for products without an Environmental Product Declaration and have been proactive in encouraging collaboration to better understand and recommend building services systems with reference to embodied carbon.
A database of lower embodied carbon materials and systems in comparison to their traditional counterparts is also in progress, with the data already being used to provide recommendations during projects where appropriate.
MLG’s meticulous approach to collecting data means it is well-placed to share its knowledge on embodied carbon with the rest of the building performance sector. It works collaboratively with clients to bring embodied carbon reduction to the forefront of its goals and use its social media presence to weave it into its image as a company.
In 2020 MLG published three separate articles on sustainability in the construction performance sector written by its services director, and in connection with Earth Day 2021 it has worked to promote the company’s formal Net Zero Carbon Strategy on its social media channels.
MLG has been exemplary in its commitment to filling the gaps in the industry’s knowledge of embodied carbon reduction. It is sure to make a real difference in the coming years.