--- title: "What are \"Embodied Carbon\" and a \"Carbon Footprint\"?" description: "In buildings, a \"Carbon Footprint\" and \"Embodied Carbon\" are terms used to describe the amount of carbon used to make buildings and to operate buildings." image: https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Construction%20site%20with%20crane%20and%20building.jpeg --- [Skip to the main content.](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-are-embodied-carbon-and-a-carbon-footprint#main-content) [![Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGO-Simplus-Systems/Logo-Blue-white%20letters/Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.5x.png?width=500&height=390&name=Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.5x.png "Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership")](https://www.simplus-systems.com/home-oldf) [![Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LOGO-Simplus-Systems/Logo-Blue-white%20letters/Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.75x.png?width=795&height=620&name=Simplus-logo-dk-bl-WhLt-@0.75x.png "Simplus Systems — Integrated Development Leadership")](https://www.simplus-systems.com/home-oldf) - [Home](https://www.simplus-systems.com) - [What We Do](https://www.simplus-systems.com#What-We-Do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Who-We-Serve) - [Building System](https://www.simplus-systems.com#building-system) - [Our Team](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Our-Team) - [Blog](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) Search [SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) Toggle Menu Search Toggle Menu [SCHEDULE A CONVERSATION](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) - [Home](https://www.simplus-systems.com) - [What We Do](https://www.simplus-systems.com#What-We-Do) - [Who We Serve](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Who-We-Serve) - [Building System](https://www.simplus-systems.com#building-system) - [Our Team](https://www.simplus-systems.com#Our-Team) - [Blog](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.simplus-systems.com/lets-talk) [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/simplussystems) [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/company/simplus-systems/) [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@SimplusSystems) 1 min read # What are "Embodied Carbon" and a "Carbon Footprint"? [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney) : Updated on July 1, 2025 [Passive House](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/passive-house) [Sustainability](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/sustainability) [Green Building](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/green-building) [Greenhouse Gases](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/greenhouse-gases) [Fire-Resistive Construction](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/fire-resistive-construction) [Low Carbon Construction](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/low-carbon-construction) [officials](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/officials) [architects](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/tag/architects) ![What are ](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Construction%20site%20with%20crane%20and%20building.jpeg) **Homes**, like any building, **use materials** when they are built, and materials need to be obtained from many sources in many ways. Making materials means using energy. **Lots of energy is used** in mining, harvesting, forming, transporting, and making the materials, and people personally use energy in addition. Energy is used to shape the raw materials into usable forms, and then assemble the pieces into buildings **All of the energy that was used to make something is called “Embodied Carbon”** and represents the amount of carbon consumed, including the parts that went into the atmosphere. ![ECF\_figure\_02\_timeline](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ECF_figure_02_timeline.png?width=2056&height=1144&name=ECF_figure_02_timeline.png) Once the buildings are completed, then a lot more **energy is used in operating the buildings for decades**. That energy used in operations is a building’s “Carbon Footprint”. See the diagram below that shows how we use SO much energy in buildings. The trouble is that too much of this energy comes from burning fossil fuels, such as gas, coal, oil, etc. **Burning fossil fuels produces greenhouse gases (GHGs)** such as CO2 and methane, and these GHGs are trapping heat in the atmosphere and oceans, raising air temperatures everywhere, and causing species extinctions at an accelerating rate. T**he U.S. is the world’s largest producer of GHGs, and BUILDINGS produce 40% of all of the GHGs in the U.S.** This wasteful and damaging way of living is threatening countless species with unlivable conditions, and humans too may be severely affected. This way of using energy is OPPOSITE of sustainability. It’s truly unsustainable by definition, and this path needs to change  **The**[Simplus Building System](https://www.simplus-systems.com/#howwedoit) **is one of the most efficient and practical ways to reduce a building’s “Embodied Carbon” and “Carbon Footprint”**. ![ECF\_conclusion\_illu\_B](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/ECF_conclusion_illu_B.png?width=553&height=537&name=ECF_conclusion_illu_B.png) [Six Interventions to Reduce Embodied Carbon Emissions from Construction-](https://shiftingparadigms.nl/)[Jelmer Hoogzaad;](https://shiftingparadigms.nl/)  Join the conversation and tell us what you think in the comments below. - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![What is the Best Energy Design Software for a Green Home or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/phppheader2.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-is-the-best-energy-design-software-for-a-green-home-or-building) #### [What is the Best Energy Design Software for a Green Home or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-is-the-best-energy-design-software-for-a-green-home-or-building) [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg?width=30&name=Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney) : Jun 23, 2023, 1:56:59 PM The PHPP is a thorough and easy to use planning tool for optimizing building energy efficiency by Passive House Designer, architects, and planning... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/what-is-the-best-energy-design-software-for-a-green-home-or-building) [![So, Why Should I Have a “Green” or “Sustainable” House or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Blog%20Images/Blog=Feature-Image-_0000s_0004_arrowcreek%20front.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/so-why-should-i-have-a-green-or-sustainable-house-or-building) #### [So, Why Should I Have a “Green” or “Sustainable” House or Building?](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/so-why-should-i-have-a-green-or-sustainable-house-or-building) [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg?width=30&name=Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney) : Jun 9, 2023, 9:26:00 AM Since so much of the world’s GHGs come from U.S. buildings, we can make a major difference right here at home by switching to Green Homes and... [Read More](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/so-why-should-i-have-a-green-or-sustainable-house-or-building) [![The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: Shaping the Future of Construction](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hubfs/Gallery/Student%20Housing/Gallery-Srudwnr-Hiousing-_0002s_0016_01.%20Prototype%20University%20Housing_5%20-%20Foto.jpg)](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/the-rise-of-sustainability-minded-builders-shaping-the-future-of-construction) #### [The Rise of Sustainability-Minded Builders: Shaping the Future of Construction](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/the-rise-of-sustainability-minded-builders-shaping-the-future-of-construction) [![Picture of Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Tim%20Sweeney%20portrait/Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg?width=30&name=Tim-Sweeney_crop.jpg) Tim Sweeney](https://www.simplus-systems.com/en/blog/author/tim-sweeney) : Nov 1, 2023, 9:00:53 PM Discover how sustainability-minded builders are revolutionizing the construction industry and shaping a greener future with the Simplus Building... 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