Embodied Carbon Footprinting Updating the ICE Database: ICE V3.0

IEMA Webinar, 31st Jan 2019

Dr Craig JonesCraig.Jones@CircularEcology.com

Contents• Introducing embodied carbon

• Poll – ICE Database

• Introducing the ICE database

• Why is embodied carbon important?

• Poll - EPDs

• Wider landscape

• Updating the ICE database

• Next steps

Introducing Embodied Carbon

The Beginning - The Cradle

• Carbon Life CycleAssessment Starts at theCradle

• All inputs must be tracedback to The Cradle....

From the Cradle…

The Cradle =

The earth, or groundTransport

Material Refining

From the Cradle….…..to (Factory) Gate

Factories: Fabrication, assembly…etc

More transportProducts

….and to (Construction) Site

DistributionPackaging

Construction Site

….On-Site Carbon

Assembly Activities

Power

Waste =

embodied carbon of waste

+ waste management

A Life Cycle PerspectiveThe Life Cycle of a Building

Extraction of Raw

MaterialsTrans. of

Raw Materials to Manufactur

er

Manufacture of Building Materials

Trans. to Site

Build

Operation

End of Life

A Life Cycle PerspectiveThe Life Cycle of a Building

Extraction of Raw

MaterialsTrans. of

Raw Materials to Manufactur

er

Manufacture of Building Materials

Trans. to Site

Build

Operation

End of Life

Whole Life

Embodied

Carbon

Material

Replacements

Poll: Have you heard of the ICE Database before?

The Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) –An Embodied Carbon Database

The Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE)

• An embodied energy and carbon

database for building materials

• Primarily for Construction Materials

• Data for over 200 materials

• Over 20,000 worldwide users

• BSRIA hardcopy published in January

2011

• Free to download from

www.circularecology.com/ice-database.html

The Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE)

Creation of the ICE database

Embodied

Energy

Embodied

Carbon

ICE

Database

‘Best’ Embodied

Energy Coefficients

Energy

Breakdown

Energy

>>>

Carbon

Additional

Carbon

Embodied Carbon

LCI

Data

INVENTORY of

CARBON & ENERGY

(ICE)

Applications

Buildings Products Systems

Feedback

Request

New Features

Data

GapsNew

Data

Refinement

Data &

Literature

Surveys

DATA

LCI

Reports

Journals

Books

Misc Select

ion

Criteria

High Quality

Data

Low Quality

INIT

IAT

ION

2019 Update: Quality screen introduced here for efficiency

Profile of ICE database Users

Updating The Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE)

• ICE database is a free resource – will remain free

• Still well used

• However last updated in 2011

• Data mainly compiled in 2010

• A lot has changed since 2010/11

• Very much due an update

• We have funding to update the ICE database

• To keep it freely available

Updating The Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE)

• The update funded by:

• Heathrow Airport

• Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB)

• Environment Agency

Why Is Embodied Carbon Important?

Embodied V Operational Energy

Source: RICS Methodology to calculate embodied carbon of materials, 30 years, 2006 regs

• Varies considerably, but some examples…

Embodied V Operational Energy

Source: RICS Methodology to calculate embodied carbon of materials, 30 years, 2006 regs

Increasing Thermal Standards

Source: RICS Methodology to calculate embodied carbon of materials, 2014

PassivHaus semi-detached House• semi-detached

PassivHaus

• 93 m2

Leadenhall Building

• 51 storey building in London

Case Study: A Primary School

• Electricity – grid decarbonisation important for operational carbon

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

To

tal G

HG

Em

issi

on

s -

tCO

2e

Year after Construction

Embodied & Operational GHG emissions for a Primary School

Static electricity GHG projection Dynamic electricity GHG projection Embodied

Embodied Carbon

Dymanic Electricity Projection of Operational Carbon

Margin of Error

Poll: EPDs

The Wider Landscape

What’s Changed Since Last ICE Update

• EN 15978:2011: Sustainability of construction works —Assessment of environmental performance of buildings —Calculation method

• EN 15804:2012: Sustainability of construction works —Environmental product declarations — Core rules for the product category of construction products

• PAS 2050:2011 Version - Product carbon footprint standard from BSI. Linked to Carbon Trust Carbon Reduction Label

• World Resources Institute: GHG Protocol for Products

• HM Treasury Infrastructure Carbon Review, 2013

• PAS 2080 – Carbon Management in Infrastructure, May 2016

• ISO 14067 – Carbon footprint of products, 2018

What’s Changed Since Last ICE Update

• These new standards generally bring more certainty to

embodied carbon calculations

• Have stimulated more studies to be published

• Far more data is available on embodied carbon of products

• Including thousands of new Environmental Product

Declarations (EPDs)

• The data available today is far better than was previously

available

EPDs

• EN 15804 EPDs are now an important data source

• In fact, the main data source

• They are standardised and offer more than just embodied

carbon

• Can contain over 20 environmental impact categories

• However, a lack of a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA)

report means understanding the results is challenging

• Example EPD…

EPDs

Rise of EPDs• A significant number of Environmental Product Declarations

(EPDs) are now available

• Statistics taken from www.constructionlca.co.uk (Jane Anderson, ex. BRE)

• 2012 = ~500

• 2014 = ~1,000

• 2016 = ~3,000

• 2018 = ~5,500

• EN 15804 EPDs have been the key data source

• Positives and negatives of using EPDs

• In theory, more consistent method and data

• Disadvantage, lack of transparency compared to full LCA report

Updating the ICE Database

Scope of Update

• Core scope = Update the key construction materials:

• Aggregates

• Aluminium

• Asphalt

• Bitumen

• Bricks

• Cement

• Concrete

• Glass

• Sand

• Steel

• Timber

• Plastics

• Other materials only as data and resource allows

• This covers the vast majority of embodied carbon formost construction projects

Progress to Date• Collected over 1,500 datapoints

• Around 850 datapoints for core materials

• Lots of data on other materials (but not enough resource to process them atpresent)

• Compared to sample size with ICE V2 - 1,774 datapoints, collected between2004-2010 (excellent increase, time consuming)

• Predominantly EN 15804 and mainly from EPDs

• New data:

Progress to Date• Have also modelled around 400 extra

datapoints

• Mainly for types of cement, mortar and

concrete.

• As well as types of brick walls, concrete

block walls…etc

• Concrete has many, many different

blends. Treating is as a generic material

brings large uncertainty to results…

• An excel calculator will be released, to

allow various types of cement, mortar and

concrete to be modelled, or compared

Progress to Date• Example from ICE V2.0, aggregates:

Values removed, from this example

Low EE High EE

General Aggregate 0.083 0.0052 Cradle to Gate 0.05 0.25 Estimated from UK industrial fuel consumption data.

Embodied Carbon - Kg

CO2e/KgBoundaries

Best EE Range - MJ/Kg

Specific CommentsMaterialEmbodied Energy -

MJ/Kg

• Example stats from ICE V3.0, aggregates:

• We have better data for aggregates and will be able to produce results for

more aggregate result categories than ICE V2

Data Quality• A draft Data Quality Matrix has been developed.

Score 10 (Best) 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 (Worst)

Sample size >=250 data points >=150 data points >=100 datapoints >=75 data points >=50 data points>=25 data

points

>=10 data

points

>=5 data

points

<5data

points

1 data

point

• Where statistical average data has been used, sample size is rated:

Score 5 (Best) 4 3 2 1 (Worst)

Method compatibility EN 15804

ISO 14067 or ISO 21930

or PAS 2050 or GHG

Protocol for Products (not

including any of the other

GHG Protocol standards)

Other standardised

method recognised

nationally or

internationally

- No standardised method

Assurance

External panel review (eg.

ISO 14040 panel review

with 3 or more people)

2 External reviewers (e.g.

academic papers often

have two reviewer)

1 external reviewer (e.g.

EPDs)Internal review No review process stated

Temporal correlation - Age

of study<= 5 years <= 6 years <= 7 years < 10 years >= 10 years

Geographical compatibility Data from UKEuropean Data or World

AverageNorth American -

All other countries and

regions

Transparency

Full calculation model

and detailed report

available (very rare)

Detailed report (e.g. full

LCA report, documenting

assumptions in detail),

but no calculation model.

Or transparent

calculation model, but no

detailed report.

-

Summary report covering

an overview of method inc

key data (most EPDs will

be this rating)

Limited details on method,

or key information

missing

Data Quality Results

• Each datapoint can be scored for data quality

• Average data quality score is used from all data collected

• Each entry in the ICE database will have DQI assigned to it

Sub-material DQI Method (Max

5)

DQI Assurance

(Max 5)

DQI Temporal

(Max 5)

DQI Geographic

(Max 5)

DQI Transparency

(Max 5)

DQI Datapoint

Total (Max 25)

DQI Sample Size -

Only applicable to

calculated

averages (Max 10)

DQI Total - % (Max

100%)

AggregateSand, Land won gravel and

sand 3.62 2.72 4.58 3.60 2.00 16.52 8.00 70%

AggregateSand, Marine sand and

aggregate 1.00 1.00 5.00 5.00 2.00 14.00 1.00 43%

AggregateSand, Recycled aggregate, no

heat treat 2.40 2.67 4.53 3.93 2.00 15.53 4.00 56%

AggregateSand, Expanded clay agg and

sand 5.00 2.00 5.00 4.00 2.00 18.00 1.00 54%

AggregateSand, Expanded foamed glass 5.00 2.00 5.00 4.00 2.00 18.00 1.00 54%

AggregateSand, Recycled aggregate,

heat treat 1.00 3.67 5.00 4.00 2.00 15.67 3.00 53%

AggregateSand, Secondary

manufactured 5.00 3.00 5.00 4.00 2.00 19.00 2.00 60%

AggregateSand, General aggregate and

sand 5.00 2.00 5.00 5.00 2.00 19.00 N/A 76%

New Format - Machine Readability• Existing ICE database presented for reading

• Updated ICE database is being reformatted to allow machine readability

• Each row will present one datapoint

• Unique IDs will be assigned to each datapoint

• Which will allow machines to more easily update data when new data is

released

• The new format will contain all meta data on one row

• Custom columns have been added, which will be user editable

• This will allow users to add their own meta data, e.g.

• Map to BCIS, NRM codes, override density, add own unique IDs that

their tool uses, Mod DQIs, convert units…etc

New Format - Machine Readability

• Disadvantage of the new format, is that its not as visually easy to browse through the

data

• Therefore a summary in the style of ICE V2.0 will still be produced

• Also adding data in additional units where appropriate, e.g. m3, m2, tonnes, kg

In-Situ Concrete

Select declared unit m3

Materials Comments

In-Situ Concrete

General

It is strongly recommended to avoid selecting a 'general' value for

concrete. Selecting data for a specific cement content in the concrete

type will give much greater accuracy. Data from EPD-RMC-20180095-

CBG1-EN, for average UK concrete, produced by the British Ready-

Mixed Concrete Association (BRMCA) part of the Mineral Products

Association (MPA). Concrete mixture is 200kg CEM I, 95 kg ggbs, 15 kg

fly ash, 1915kg aggregate, 139 kg water and 1.55 kg admixture.

GEN 0 (6/8 MPa)

GEN 1 (8/10 MPa)

GEN 2 (12/15 MPa)

GEN 3 (16/20 MPa)

20/25 MPa

25/30 MPa

28/35 MPa

32/40 MPa

35/45 MPa

40/50 Mpa

PAV1

PAV2

302

331

This unit is only applied to

the in-situ concrete section

With CEM I

Embodied Carbon - kgCO2e per m3

Per m3 of concrete

246

156

Using UK average cement.

214

230

247

269

285

302

331

356

381

Improved Statistics• Statistics were in ICE V2.0

• Data was different in method and boundaries –was not encouraged to use averages

• New data is mainly EN 15804, therefore statscan now play an important role

• Data all kg CO2e per kg…

Count GWP 149

Min EC 0.28

5 0.55

10 0.74

15 0.81

25 1.04

50 2.39

75 2.88

85 3.20

90 3.61

95 4.91

Max EC 16.15

AvDev 1.12

St Dev 1.92

Average 2.38

Mean (5 to 95

percentile) 2.14

Mean (10 to 90

percentile) 2.12

Mean (15 to 85

percentile) 2.12

Mean (20 to 80

percentile) 2.14

Percentiles

Updated ICE DatabaseClay brick walls - per m2 of wall including mortar, not including waste

Materials Comments

Declared

Units

EC - kgCO2e

per unit

Mass per

declared unit -

kg

EE = Embodied Energy, EC = Embodied Carbon

wall, clay brick, single skin, 102.5

mm with Mortar or screed (1:3

cement:sand mix) (Using CEM I

cement)

m2

Assumed 2.3 kg per brick. 1900 bricks per m3 of mortar. Mortar uses

CEM I, e.g. no cement replacements in the mix. You must consider if this

strength of mortar is suitable for your application.

wall, clay brick, single skin, 102.5

mm with Mortar or screed (1:4

cement:sand mix) (Using CEM I

cement)

m2

Assumed 2.3 kg per brick. 1900 bricks per m3 of mortar. Mortar uses

CEM I, e.g. no cement replacements in the mix. You must consider if this

strength of mortar is suitable for your application.

wall, clay brick, single skin, 102.5

mm with Mortar or screed (1:5

cement:sand mix) (Using CEM I

cement)

m2

Assumed 2.3 kg per brick. 1900 bricks per m3 of mortar. Mortar uses

CEM I, e.g. no cement replacements in the mix. You must consider if this

strength of mortar is suitable for your application.

wall, clay brick, single skin, 102.5

mm with Mortar or screed (1:6

cement:sand mix) (Using CEM I

cement)

m2

Assumed 2.3 kg per brick. 1900 bricks per m3 of mortar. Mortar uses

CEM I, e.g. no cement replacements in the mix. You must consider if this

strength of mortar is suitable for your application.

wall, clay brick, single skin, 102.5

mm with Mortar (1:½:4½

Cement:Lime:Sand mix) (Using

CEM I cement)

m2

Assumed 2.3 kg per brick. 1900 bricks per m3 of mortar. Mortar uses

CEM I, e.g. no cement replacements in the mix. You must consider if this

strength of mortar is suitable for your application.

Next Steps

Next Steps• Still have data to process

• Drafts of the key materials are being finalised

• Beta version will be sent to key stakeholders for comment

• Final changes will be made

• Database will be launched, date and details of launch to be

announced soon

• Database will be freely available for download, thanks to the 3

funders:

• Heathrow Airport

• Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB)

• Environment Agency

Thank You

Craig.Jones@CircularEcology.com

@EcoCraigJones@CircularEcology