Unveiling the Economic Perks of Carbon Monitoring in Buildings

Cercula
3 min readJan 22, 2024

Carbon monitoring has transcended from being an environmental concern to a pivotal factor in shaping successful building projects. Here’s how tracking your projects’ carbon data can significantly impact your bottom line.

Material Cost Savings

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) identify the key materials in your project — the ones that have the biggest impact in terms of cost, resource use, waste production, and human and planetary health. This allows decision-makers to select the most effective solutions to their material questions and prevents them from spending too much time and money on changes with minimal impact.

Insight: According to the World Green Building Council, green buildings cost only about 2% more, on average, to construct, and when lifecycle costs are factored in, they cost less, with an average of 14% to 19% in operational savings.

Regulatory Compliance

The legal landscape surrounding carbon reporting in buildings is evolving rapidly. From SECR requirements to planning regulations, and lengthy client organisation carbon returns, companies involved in building activities are required to monitor carbon more than ever. Non-compliance can result in fines and penalties, as well as work drying up and lost tenders. Embracing carbon reduction strategies not only ensures adherence to current regulations but also future-proofs your projects against potential changes in the legal framework.

Insight: Studies indicate that the careful selection of construction materials and the implementation of an LCA at the early stages of construction result in a 26% reduction to a building’s embodied carbon.

Market Advantages

Sustainability is not just a buzzword. It’s a powerful market differentiator. Demonstrating your commitment to a meaningful reduction in carbon gives you a competitive edge. Many companies talk the talk, but in an era where environmental consciousness is on the rise, partners and clients are drawn to companies that truly walk the walk.

Insight: A Capgemini survey of senior executives in consumer products businesses found that three-quarters of executives say that sustainability leads to increased customer loyalty (77%), and almost two-thirds agree that sustainability initiatives helped boost revenues (63%).

Efficiency

Value engineering has been a cornerstone of the construction industry for decades. In an industry where margins are tight, finding the most efficient ways to build is critical. A high embodied carbon can indicate a wasteful process. For that reason, monitoring carbon aids in identifying the most cost-effective materials and methods, fostering informed decision-making. This approach minimises waste, optimises resource use, and, consequently, enhances overall project efficiency.

Insight: A recent study by McKinsey found that companies that are data-driven outperform their competitors by up to 20%.

How Cercula Can Help

In a world where economic success is tied to sustainable practices, Cercula emerges as your strategic ally. By automating carbon data calculations and analyses, Cercula empowers your business to navigate the intersection of environmental responsibility and economic prosperity. Let Cercula be your guide in optimising your carbon footprint for a sustainable and economically robust future.

Try Cercula today

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