Cradle-to-Gate Assessment and Mitigation of Embodied Carbon in Commercial Buildings

Abstract

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2024), carbon dioxide is the leading greenhouse gas driving global warming. The building sector accounts for about 39% of global energy-related carbon emissions, with 11% from embodied carbon generated during material extraction, manufacturing, transport, and assembly. This study examines embodied carbon in the Harold L. Martin Sr. Engineering Research and Innovation Complex at North Carolina A&T State University, a four-story, 130,000 square-foot facility completed in 2021. Using architectural and structural documents, verified material quantities were analyzed to calculate cradle-to-gate embodied carbon (A1–A3 stages) for major components, including concrete, steel, glazing, and finishes. Results show structural materials, especially concrete and steel, dominate embodied emissions, followed by envelope systems. Sensitivity analyses indicate that substituting materials, such as recycled steel, low-carbon concrete, and bio-based finishes, can reduce total embodied carbon by 15–30% while maintaining performance.