Understanding Woodknowledge Wales’ work to support the housing sector in reducing embodied carbon through the development and rollout of the Early Stage Embodied Carbon Tool (ESECT).
Summary
This report outlines Woodknowledge Wales’ development, engagement, and rollout of the Early Stage Embodied Carbon Tool (ESECT) to support the housing sector in reducing embodied carbon. The tool is a simple, web-based platform that enables users (including designers, housing associations and local authorities) to assess and reduce upfront embodied carbon at the early design stage of low-rise housing projects without complex calculations.
It focuses on three key areas:
- Site (site conditions and building form)
- Buildings (fabric, foundations, materials and construction)
- Services (heating, hot water and renewables)
Delivered through extensive sector engagement including webinars, workshops, Communities of Practice and one-to-one support, ESECT has stimulated real-world discussion and improved carbon literacy.
Early evidence of the tool’s impact shows sustained usage throughout 2025–2026, active adoption by social landlords, increased awareness of early design decisions on embodied carbon, and valuable feedback to guide future improvements. The report also includes a roadmap for a Version 2 and opportunities for wider adoption as pressure to reduce embodied carbon continues to grow.
