What does "embodied energy" mean? | Print |
FAQs - General Questions

The term “embodied energy??? refers to the total sum of the energy required to manufacture, supply and making use of a product, material or service. It includes the process of the raw material extraction, to transport, manufacturing, assembly, installation as well as the capital and other costs of a specific material - to produce a service or product and finally its dis-assembly, deconstruction.
E.g. a product which is produced environmentally friendly in Europe and which gets exported to South Africa may still have a higher embodied energy then a locally produced product which is not so environmentally friendly.