Free open-source tool has set new standards for carbon reduction across construction industry
SEATTLE, WA – Skanska, a leading global construction and development firm, today announced a series of significant findings from its use of the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3) and its construction activity emissions initiatives. This announcement coincides with the fifth anniversary of the EC3 tool’s launch, celebrating the transformative impact EC3 has had in reducing carbon across construction projects. Since its launch on November 19, 2019, Skanska has leveraged EC3 to provide the construction industry with powerful data insights, setting new standards for sustainable building through data-driven decision-making.
"Five years ago, we launched the EC3 tool to reduce the embodied carbon footprint of materials used on construction projects,” said Mark Chen, National Carbon Manager, Skanska USA Building. “Since its rollout, EC3 has equipped us with invaluable data, not only deepening the industry’s understanding of our embodied carbon footprint but also guiding us and the entire construction industry in making carbon-smart choices in materials and project planning."
Highlights of Skanska’s use of EC3 during its first five years include:
Established industry benchmarks for carbon emissions
Skanska leveraged EC3 to track embodied carbon across more than 270 models nationwide, creating a robust dataset that reveals key industry benchmarks. This approach gives Skanska the unique ability to benchmark embodied carbon emissions by building type, similar to cost-per-square-foot benchmarking. With these insights, Skanska has helped shape industry standards, driving accountability and progress in carbon reduction target setting.
Reduced emissions by more than 8,430 metric tons
By incorporating EC3 during the construction of its projects, Skanska effectively selected lower carbon materials, avoiding over 8,430 metric tons of carbon emissions. This equates to removing 1,821 cars from the road for a full year, demonstrating the positive impact of strategic material choices.
Piloted innovative materials
Through its use of EC3, Skanska has identified and piloted innovative, low-carbon materials, including recycled glass pozzolans as alternatives to traditional Portland Cement, contributing to a broader shift in the concrete industry.
Advanced net-zero goals and industry standards
The EC3 tool has been instrumental in Skanska’s efforts to achieve net-zero emissions by 2045. It also supports emerging industry standards such as LEED version 5, ILFI Living Building Challenge, Zero Carbon certifications, and new state-level regulations across the U.S.
EC3 was born from a collaborative effort between Skanska, Microsoft, the University of Washington’s Carbon Leadership Forum, and C-Change Labs. Recognizing the urgent need for a tool to assess and reduce embodied carbon in building materials, Skanska’s innovation team developed the EC3 tool to track, benchmark, and lower carbon emissions embedded in construction materials. The open-source solution has since garnered broad industry support, becoming a crucial resource for developers, public agencies, architects, engineers, consultants, and contractors to reduce carbon emissions at each stage of material selection and procurement.