Free tool helps calculate costs and benefits of carbon-saving techniques and technology

A free online carbon calculator has been launched to help the construction industry go green.

It helps evaluate the sustainability of different construction options at the predesign stage and allows the costs of carbon-saving measures to be properly budgeted for.

The tool, which covers various building sectors, has been developed by global cost and project management consultant Faithful+Gould, whose own project managers already use the calculator.

It was initially created to help deliver a low-carbon solution for schools for the Department for Children, Schools & Families, which is using the calculator to procure schools with a 60% reduction in carbon emissions.

Sean Lockie, director at Faithful+Gould, said: 鈥淲e have made this tool available to everyone in a bid to boost the green credentials of the industry, as too often carbon-saving initiatives are dropped from projects because they have not been properly budgeted for at the beginning.鈥

The new online carbon calculator is part of a suite of carbon critical design tools provided by Atkins, Faithful+Gould鈥檚 parent company. Another interactive online tool, Atkins ROCC (remediation options carbon calculator), helps assess the carbon dioxide emissions associated with a range of land remediation options.

The carbon calculator can be accessed at: www.fgould.com/uk