Foodservice industry launches new hub to tackle embodied carbon emissions
On 28th April 2025, over 150 professionals from various sectors of the foodservice equipment industry gathered for a webinar hosted by the Foodservice Equipment Association (FEA), focusing on the critical and increasingly discussed topic of embodied carbon. Participants included manufacturers, dealers, designers, and consultants, highlighting the widespread engagement and recognition of this pressing issue.
The FEA unveiled its new Embodied Carbon Hub during this event, a dedicated online resource aimed at educating the industry on embodied carbon. This hub features two essential guides—one outlining foundational concepts and the other offering in-depth technical details. John Cunningham, chief executive of the FEA and moderator of the webinar, underscored the rising importance of embodied carbon discussions within the industry, stating, “The industry has been abuzz with talk about embodied carbon, what it is, why we need to understand it and how we generate reliable embodied carbon figures for individual products and equipment.” This reflects a growing awareness of the complexities surrounding carbon emissions and the need for accurate assessments.
Misunderstandings concerning embodied carbon have proliferated, adding urgency to the need for educational platforms like the Embodied Carbon Hub. Anastasia Mylona, technical director of CIBSE, who participated as a presenter, noted the increasing adoption of TM65 within the commercial catering sector. She expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with the FEA to provide deeper insights into measurement methodologies, which have drawn considerable interest from attendees.
The focus on embodied carbon extends beyond foodservice; it is a significant concern across the construction and engineering sectors as well. For instance, a subsequent webinar hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers on 30th April featured discussions on utilising embodied carbon as a key design metric amid the climate emergency. Stephen Beggs, national lead on carbon reduction at Curtins, elaborated on how carbon data can shape project decisions, illustrating this with a case study of the Prince of Wales Bridge, which drew comparisons between its embodied carbon and vehicular emissions over decades.
The urgency to address embodied carbon is substantiated by research from entities such as the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), which reports that embodied carbon constitutes around 20% of carbon emissions within the UK's built environment. Despite its significance, the absence of regulatory frameworks surrounding embodied carbon remains a challenge, with measurement and mitigation often left to voluntary industry efforts. UKGBC emphasises the need for a collective approach to enhance accuracy in measurement and reporting, crucial for reaching net-zero carbon milestones.
Simultaneously, the Institution of Structural Engineers has introduced resources to support professionals in calculating embodied carbon effectively. Their third edition guide offers principles for measuring this critical metric, aiming to streamline the selection and specification of construction materials. This effort is aligned with the UK's Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, highlighting the increasing integration of sustainability within engineering practices.
In addition to professional guidance, organisations like the FEA are working with programmes designed to support members in monitoring and reducing their carbon footprints. The CAFA Carbon Measurement Programme delivers a structured approach to understanding and managing emissions, providing a vital service as the industry shifts towards sustainability.
As the awareness and dialogue surrounding embodied carbon grow, it becomes increasingly clear that a collaborative effort across sectors is essential for mitigating its impact. The insights shared during the FEA’s webinar and similar events underline a consensus among industry leaders on the necessity of informed practices and the sharing of knowledge to drive forward sustainable development.