Updates to NABERS embodied carbon

Released late in 2024, the NABERS Embodied Carbon rating tool enables new buildings and partial rebuilds to measure and compare their upfront embodied carbon with similar buildings.

The latest version of the rules, Version 2.1, is now available. The major update is that additional types of evidence can be used to prove material quantities in a rating. Version 2.1 of the rules must now be used by assessors when preparing a rating.

To help users set targets based on a desired embodied carbon rating, NABERS has also released a reverse calculator. This sits alongside the reverse calculators for other NABERS ratings.

Minor updates have been made to the emissions factors database. NABERS is planning another update in mid-2026 that will reflect changes to emissions factors for materials and follows a review of all Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for products used in Australia.

Finally, a new version of the embodied carbon calculator is available. The updates include the emission factor changes noted above, as well as changes to the waste rates for custom assemblies, based on industry consultation.

For more information about the embodied carbon ratings tool, visit the NABERS website.

Image courtesy of Life Of Pix

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