Understanding the Embodied Carbon Impact of Transport

At Albion Stone, we prioritise transparency in assessing environmental impacts. Our verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for stages A1-A3 covers extraction, transport, and manufacturing at the product stage. Unlike many, we rely on real, precise data—not assumptions, generic values, or production allocations which can be misleading. It is important to remember that not all EPDs are created equal and should be looked at closely to determine the accuracy of the figures.

Why Local Materials Matter

Transport distance significantly affects the embodied carbon of materials. The further materials travel, the greater the carbon emissions. At Albion Stone, we have worked with industry experts to create a clear methodology for calculating the carbon impact of transport, and the results are striking.

Carbon Impact Calculations

All calculations are based on data sourced from the UK Government’s 2024 Greenhouse Gas Reporting Conversion Factors, ensuring accuracy and relevance.  The document used to calculate these figures can be found here.

Distances have been taken from Google Maps using the fastest route option.

Average load capacity: 88% (22.88 tonnes fully loaded).

Return trips for HGVs can occasionally carry other goods, reducing the overall carbon impact per journey. However, this is uncommon, so it is crucial to calculate transport emissions based on an empty return trip to accurately reflect the reality of most deliveries.

By doing so, we ensure that our carbon calculations remain accurate and realistic, providing a clear understanding of the true environmental impact of transporting materials. This level of transparency helps project planners make informed decisions when considering the embodied carbon of their materials.

In this example, we will calculate the embodied carbon for a delivery from Portland to central London and compare it to a delivery from central Portugal to central London. We will then assess the total carbon emissions for a typical London project requiring 150m³ of stone.

Emission factors:

• Fully loaded: 0.87296 kgCO₂/km.
• Empty return trip: 0.64392 kgCO₂/km.

 Delivery from Portland to Central London (approximately 230km):

• Fully loaded: 0.87296 x 230 = 200.78 kgCO₂
• Empty return: 0.64392 x 230 = 148.10 kgCO₂
• Total round trip: 200.78 + 148.10 = 348.88 kgCO₂

Delivery from Central Portugal (Lisbon), to Central London (approximately 2,400km):

• Fully loaded: 0.87296 × 2400 = 2,095.10 kgCO₂
• Empty return: 0.64392 × 2400 = 1,545.41 kgCO₂
• Total round trip: 2,095.10 + 1,545.41 = 3,640.51 kgCO₂

Project Comparison

For a typical London project requiring 150m³ (approximately 330 tonnes) of stone:

• From Portland (15 trips):
  348.88 x 15 = 5,233.20 kgCO₂
• From Portugal (15 trips):
  3,640.51 x 15 = 54,607.65 kgCO₂

The difference is substantial, 49,374.45 kgCO₂ - a huge reduction in transport emissions just by selecting a locally sourced material.

Albion Stone’s Commitment to Sustainability

Albion Stone has consistently invested in lowering embodied carbon. Without the ability to receive government or EU funding, we have achieved remarkable progress, reducing our EPD figure from 140 kgCO₂/tonne in 2017 to just 44.7 kgCO₂/tonne in 2024. This commitment demonstrates our dedication to addressing the climate crisis.

The Choice is Yours

Opting for local materials like Portland stone is an impactful step towards reducing your project’s carbon footprint. At Albion Stone, we are doing our part—will you do yours?

Tags: Carbon Footprint Transport Embodied Carbon