Embodied carbon
Also called: Embedded emissions · Topic: Environment and Sustainable Development · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Embodied carbon, also called embedded emissions, is the greenhouse gas released while a product is made and transported. That includes extracting the raw materials, manufacturing and moving the product. The emissions are "locked into" the product before anyone uses it. Embodied carbon is high for steel, cement and aluminium. It matters for trade, because the emissions happen in the exporting country while the product is consumed elsewhere.
Example
The EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) charges importers for the embodied carbon of goods such as steel, aluminium, cement and fertiliser. Its transitional phase began in October 2023 and the definitive phase starts in 2026. Indian steel made in coal-based plants carries more embodied carbon, so it could face a higher charge. India calls CBAM unilateral and against the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, which says richer countries should bear more of the climate burden.
Don't confuse with
- Carbon footprint: this is broader. It also counts emissions from using and disposing of a product, and it can be measured for a person or a country, not only a product.
Related concepts
- Natural capital
- Ecosystem services
- Total economic value
- Contingent valuation
- Hedonic pricing
- Payment for ecosystem services
- Green accounting
- Adjusted net savings
- Ecological footprint
- Earth Overshoot Day