Meijer's Embodied Carbon in Construction

Abstract

This project was conducted by five graduate students from the School For Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) in University of Michigan as a master’s capstone project to assist Meijer in evaluating the embodied carbon emissions from the construction supply chains of its new supercenter. The results include the baseline model and potential strategies of reducing embodied carbon emissions, which could help Meijer further reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

A baseline model of embodied carbon emissions associated with the construction of Meijer’s Supercenter was developed using data provided by the Meijer construction team. This data included key project details, material specifications, transportation distances, and on-site energy usage. The analysis identified materials with the highest embodied carbon emissions—particularly during the Product Stage—while also quantifying emissions from the Transport and Construction Stages, which were comparatively smaller in impact. Among all materials, cement emerged as the most significant contributor to embodied carbon. Additionally, the analysis showed that switching to alternative manufacturers, without altering material types, could reduce total embodied carbon emissions by up to 32% compared to the baseline scenario. Building on these findings, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the potential of alternative materials and emerging technologies for further emissions reductions.

In the raw material extraction, processing, and manufacturing stages, the team recommends reducing embodied carbon by using low-carbon cement with industry by-products or Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS)-equipped suppliers, low-emission steel made with biomass, hydrogen direct reduction technology, or from CCUS-equipped suppliers, asphalt with recycled materials, low-carbon insulation sheathing, energy efficient roofing, and mass timber. In the transport stage, the team recommends using hybrid trucks to reduce transport emissions in the short term and switch to electric trucks in the future. For on-site construction, emissions can be reduced by installing rooftop solar panels on site offices and using biodiesel or green hydrogen in generators.