---
title: "Embodied carbon — Class A Atlas glossary"
description: "Lifecycle carbon emissions from construction materials and processes."
canonical: https://classa.info/glossary/embodied-carbon
pageType: glossary
lastUpdated: 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z
license: "CC BY 4.0 with attribution to Class A Atlas (https://classa.info)."
---

> Lifecycle carbon emissions from construction materials and processes.

## TL;DR

- Lifecycle carbon emissions from construction materials and processes.
- Concrete, steel, glass, aluminium dominate.

# Embodied carbon

*ESG · UK, EU*

## Short definition

Lifecycle carbon emissions from construction materials and processes.

## Full definition

Concrete, steel, glass, aluminium dominate. [RICS](/glossary/rics) WLCA, LETI, and the GLA Whole Life Carbon framework now require [Class A](/glossary/class-a) new builds to report [leed](/glossary/leed)-tenants">embodied carbon at planning stage in the UK. Drives material substitution (CLT, low-carbon concrete) and reuse.

## Why this matters for Class A leasing

Embodied carbon is part of the esg vocabulary that institutional Class A occupiers, landlords, and advisers use across UK, EU markets. Understanding it correctly affects how you read lease documents, model occupancy economics, and benchmark deal terms across cities. Class A Atlas tracks regional variation alongside the global standard so [cross-border](/topics/cross-border-expansion) occupiers can translate quickly.

## Related topics

- [**ESG / LEED for Tenants**](/topics/esg-leed-tenants) — How tenants evaluate, negotiate, and report on ESG performance in a Class A office lease.

---

Citation: Source: Class A Atlas (https://classa.info/glossary/embodied-carbon), updated 2026-04-01T00:00:00.000Z.