As mentioned before the topic with the highest hits and searches here on isite is a carbon calculator for the construction process.

I have been reviewing the calculator from the Environment Agency which come close, very close, to removing any excuses for not knowing the construction process carbon footprint, in setting a stake in the ground as a measure for improvement and in benchmarking across sites, companies and clients to drive real improvement.

In my opinion the positive points are:

• written by a major client of the built environment for the built environment
• not linked to carbon offset programmes (a big tick !)
• based on spreadsheet (Excel) with visibility of data used in calculation.
• appears easy to use with guidance, references and further reading
• ‘open source’ in that the EA encourage its use by others
• provides a great basis for carbon footprint benchmarking (watch this space!)
• ability to add activities and materials to the base set up
• deals with personal transport in a sensible and straightforward manner

The only (very) minor concern is the detail required to complete fully ( but then who said carbon diets were easy! and it would be good to see this tool as part of all site processes) and the materials element could be double counted – in the construction process footprint and the building footprint.

The EA will use the calculator on all of their projects from November

Read the Edie news link here