Embodied Carbon

This essential guide tackles the often-overlooked environmental impact of embodied carbon, the total emissions generated from the creation, transport, and disposal of building materials. Author Ming Hu methodically traces the historical evolution of this critical concept, providing much-needed clarity on its definitions, components, and the complex methods used for its measurement. The book powerfully challenges the construction industry's conventional focus on operational energy, forcing a necessary reckoning with the full lifecycle footprint of our built environment.

What truly distinguishes this work is its unflinching examination of the global inequalities in carbon emissions, particularly the disparities between the Global North and South. By shifting the sustainability conversation upstream to the supply chain, Hu provides architects, engineers, and policymakers with the foundational knowledge to make more equitable and impactful decisions. This is a vital, paradigm-shifting resource for anyone serious about creating a truly sustainable future, making the invisible carbon costs of construction impossible to ignore.