Construction Stored Carbon

Construction Stored Carbon (CSC) is an innovative metric developed by Climate Cleanup to measure the amount of carbon dioxide stored in biobased building materials. By using CSC-certified materials, social housing providers can reduce their carbon footprint and contribute to climate goals. This method enables construction companies, policymakers, and investors to turn the built environment into a long-term carbon sink, revolutionizing sustainable building practices. Discover how CSC can help create climate-positive communities in social housing.

Biobased materials such as wood, bamboo, hemp, and straw offer significant potential for carbon sequestration in construction, effectively turning buildings into long-term carbon sinks. These materials naturally absorb CO2 during growth and continue to store it when used in construction, with engineered timber capable of meeting high structural requirements while maintaining ease of disassembly and reuse. The climate mitigation benefits are substantial, with bio-based structural systems potentially decreasing embodied emissions by up to 60% compared to conventional materials over their lifecycle.

Biobased Materials as Carbon Sinks

CSC Certification: Ensuring Credible and Measurable Carbon Storage

CSC certification is a rigorous, science-based process that guarantees biobased construction projects meet the highest standards for sustainability and carbon storage. Developed by the Climate Cleanup Foundation, the certification framework aligns with the EU Carbon Removal Certification Framework (CRCF) and mandates the use of sustainably sourced biobased materials with a minimum lifespan of 35 years.

Certified projects must demonstrate:

  • Quantifiable net carbon removal benefits

  • Additionality, ensuring carbon storage goes beyond business-as-usual practices

  • Long-term storage potential to secure lasting climate impact

  • Sustainability criteria, ensuring responsible material sourcing

Independent third-party certification bodies oversee compliance through strict monitoring and reporting protocols. A transparent EU-wide registry ensures traceability of certified carbon removal units, enhancing credibility for investors and policymakers.

CSC certification also integrates seamlessly with leading sustainability standards like LEED and BREEAM, accelerating its adoption in the construction industry and strengthening the shift toward climate-positive building.