The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has recently released groundbreaking guidance titled “Embodied carbon in building services: logistics centres” (TM65.3). Developed in collaboration with Introba and Amazon, this Europe-wide guidance focuses on assessing the embodied carbon impact of material handling equipment (MHE) and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) equipment commonly used in logistics centers.

Here are some key points about TM65.3:

1. Purpose and Scope:

• TM65.3 addresses the embodied carbon impact of MHE and MEP equipment in logistics centers.
• Embodied carbon refers to greenhouse gas emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the life cycle of a building (from production to end-of-life).
• The study covers life cycle stages A1–A4 (product and construction), B1–B4 (in use), and C1–C4 (end of life).

2. Stakeholders and Audience:

• The guidance is relevant to logistics center stakeholders, including owners, manufacturers, retailers, architects, engineers, policymakers, researchers, and students.
• It aims to help designers make data-driven decisions early in the design process.

3. Findings and Insights:

• MHE can contribute an additional 17-53% to a logistics building’s embodied carbon.
• Informed equipment decisions are crucial for reducing environmental impact.

4. Collaboration and Industry Impact:

• The research was conducted by Introba, sponsored by Amazon.
• TM65.3 represents a significant step toward understanding embodied carbon implications in logistics centers.
• Ongoing updates will reflect evolving data and industry practices.

For more detailed information explore CIBSE TM65.3 Embodied carbon in building services.

Many projects that could benefit from the guidance would already have started on site, or gone through planning or costing. However if the will is there, it is never too late to embrace at least some aspects of the practical guidance contained within this document.