# Embodied Carbon New building designs consider the environmental cost from start to end-of-life. By [Grace Mahas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Grace.Mahas), VP of Content & Insights | Published Feb 23, 2021 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embodied-carbon ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Embodied Carbon trend? **Embodied Carbon:** Brands in construction are now taking steps to accurately understand the building's environmental impact through an "embodied carbon" lens. Embodied carbon refers to the total carbon footprint of the materials used throughout the supply chain–from extraction and manufacturing through to the landfill or recycling plant. ## The consumer insight behind the Embodied Carbon trend In the wake of climate change, information has emerged about the detrimental environmental impacts of various production and consumption methods. Brands are no longer doing enough by simply taking a product's production into consideration but must consider its end-of-life cycle. Conscious consumers are now demanding brands identify these blind spots in production to help tackle climate change. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 20 to Mar 19, 2021 - Published: Feb 23, 2021 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Naturality](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/naturality) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Embodied Carbon trend ### Embodied Carbon Analytics Emphasis is now placed on developing innovative tools for assessing a product's embodied carbon emissions throughout its life cycle to tackle climate change. ### Circular Building Materials Brands are exploring ways to create circular building materials that can be reused or recycled to minimize embodied carbon emissions and reduce waste. ### Green Building Policies Green building policies that require the use of low-embodied carbon materials and support whole life-cycle carbon assessment are becoming a trend that is gaining traction. ## What the Embodied Carbon trend means for industry ### For Construction The construction industry can leverage new technologies and materials to reduce embodied carbon emissions and promote sustainability. ### For Architecture Architects and designers can incorporate sustainable building practices and materials in their designs to minimize embodied carbon and create a positive environmental impact. ### For Software Development Software developers and tech companies have an opportunity to create innovative tools and apps that can calculate, compare, and minimize embodied carbon emissions in building and construction. ## Workshop question How can you consider the life-long consequences of a product or service and reduce its environmental effect? ## Trend signals for Embodied Carbon Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 44%, activity 37%, freshness 10%. - Popularity: 44% - Activity: 37% - Freshness: 10% ## Examples of the Embodied Carbon trend 4 featured examples from Jan 20 to Mar 19, 2021. - [Low Embodied Carbon Wood Stadiums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eco-park-stadium): The Forest Green Rovers Eco Park stadium is Crafted from Wood (Category: Eco) Implication: The construction industry can take advantage of ethically sourced wood and other green technologies to reduce carbon emissions and promote more sustainable building practices. - [Sustainable 3D Printed Habitats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tecla): WASP Debuts TECLA, a New Circular Model of Housing (Category: Eco) Implication: The construction industry can adopt new techniques and materials to create sustainable, 3D-printed homes like the WASP TECLA, reducing waste and improving end-of-life consideratio… - [Open-Source Embodied Carbon Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/structural-carbon-tool): The Structural Carbon Tool Calculates & Compares Embodied Carbon (Category: Eco) Implication: The construction industry can use open-source embodied carbon apps and rating systems to promote sustainable building practices and reduce environmental impact. - [Embodied Carbon Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decarbonise-construction): The Decarbonise Construction Campaign Tackles Construction Emissions (Category: Eco) Implication: The construction industry can benefit from implementing embodied carbon tracking and other carbon-reducing measures that can save them significant costs and prevent unnecessary wa… ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Eco - [Jewel-Toned Fall Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quince-silk) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Intelligent Private Grids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ara-core-powers) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)