CARBON IMPACT
Concrete Carbon Impact Estimator (per m³)
Estimate the embodied carbon of one cubic metre of concrete from cement type, fly ash/GGBS, aggregate, admixture and optional delivery distance. Enter the quantities (or arrive here from the mix calculator with them pre-filled) — every factor below is editable and shown with a typical range, not a single precise number.
Cement type and quantities
Factors below are editable sample figures with a shown range — replace them with your cement supplier's published EPD figure where available. This is a cradle-to-gate materials estimate only: it excludes batching-plant energy, formwork, reinforcement, pumping/placing, curing and end of life.
| Material | Quantity | Factor (kg CO2e/kg, or per km) | Typical range | CO2e (kg/m³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon footprint per m³ | — | |||
Carbon summary
kg CO2e / m³—total, all constituents
kg CO2e / tonne—per tonne of concrete
Binder-carbon share—typically 80–95% of the total
Carbon intensity—kg CO2e/m³ per N/mm² of grade
vs 100% OPC baseline
Holds the total cementitious (binder) mass constant and recomputes it as if it were all OPC at the standard 0.85 kg CO2e/kg factor, so you can see what the SCM substitution is saving (or costing) you.
| Scenario | kg CO2e/m³ |
|---|---|
| Your mix (as entered above) | — |
| 100% OPC baseline (same binder mass) | — |
| Difference | — (—) |
Strength and durability must be re-verified by trial batch — SCM changes early strength and curing, this is not a like-for-like swap.
Notes and limitations
- These are indicative estimates for comparing mix options during preliminary design. They are NOT a certified EPD (Environmental Product Declaration), NOT a full LCA (life-cycle assessment), and NOT a verified A1–A3 declaration under EN 15804/ISO 14025.
- The scope is cradle-to-gate (stages A1–A3) of the constituent materials only. It excludes batching-plant energy, formwork, reinforcement, pumping and placing, curing, in-service carbonation uptake, and end of life.
- The cement factor dominates the result — typically 80–95% of the total. Getting your supplier's actual EPD figure matters far more than refining the aggregate numbers.
- SCM (fly ash and GGBS) factors are highly sensitive to the allocation method used for an industrial by-product; published figures can differ by an order of magnitude, which is why ranges are shown for these rows.
- Check the current published figure for India — the GCCA GNR (Global Cement and Concrete Association, Getting the Numbers Right) country data, or your cement supplier's own EPD — rather than relying on the defaults here.
- A lower carbon figure does not make a mix compliant. Strength class, exposure/durability limits and early-age performance still govern the design.