WRAP (Waste & Resource Action Plan), with the assistance of the UK Green Building Council (UK-GBC), has commissioned Arup to take forward the development of a public database for the embodied carbon of buildings.
The aim of the database is to provide an open, web-based resource for clients, planners, engineers, architects, building developers, quantity surveyors and other building professionals. 'This,' said the UK-GBC, 'will assist in the design process by providing access to a larger embodied carbon data population than is available to a single company or individual.'

The database is designed to enable industry professionals to share existing project embodied carbon data. The information will be collated and presented in a comprehensive format and allow project teams to gain an understanding of the typical embodied carbon performance levels for different building types.

Arup, with support from BRE, will develop the functional specification for the database by January 2013.

The UK-GBC added: 'In order to make this a success we require organisations to share any building level embodied carbon data they may have. If you have data you are willing to share please contact Andrea.Charlson@arup.com by 14 December 2012. If you would prefer to send this information anonymously please contact Barry.Martynski@wrap.org.uk'

If you would like to discuss the project further with UK-GBC, contact Anna.Surgenor@ukgbc.org