Embodied Carbon – reducing ecological & economic risks

An important element in quantifying net zero

Embodied Carbon is a central part of calculating net zero targets within the real estate industry. By integrating it into your investment strategy, you can not only reduce environmental and economic risks but also increase the long-term value of your property portfolio.

The difference between Embodied Carbon and gray emissions

The construction and real estate industry plays a decisive role in the journey to net zero, accounting for approximately one-third of Switzerland’s CO₂ emissions. In addition to lowering operational emissions, gray emissions must also be reduced. To differentiate these terms:

Embodied Carbon is the total energy required to produce, transport, and dispose of construction materials.
Gray emissions are the CO₂ emissions associated with this energy consumption. While often overlooked, these indirect environmental impacts are crucial for evaluating a property portfolio’s sustainability comprehensively.

Grosser Lastwagen mit Baumstämmen fährt durch eine düstere Waldstrasse

Baustelle eines Hauses aus der Vogelperspektive

Concrete, actionable solutions and well-founded scenario analyses

By analyzing and comparing your portfolio’s current emission values, you receive specific courses of action to reduce emissions and conserve resources. Detailed scenario analyses allow you to simulate various strategies, quantify risks, and define net-zero targets. At the portfolio level, this approach creates transparency and is a powerful management tool integrating ecological and economic considerations. This enables you to make informed decisions that offer short-term and long-term benefits – both for the environment and your company.

We use data-supported models to make complex factors measurable and seamlessly incorporate them into your investment strategy. Through a detailed analysis of your real estate portfolio and quantifying the gray energy throughout the lifecycle of your properties, we create a clear overview of where they stand in relation to climate goals, such as the 1.5‑degree target.