Cutting carbon with data: the path to net-zero buildings 

Data integration enables carbon-reducing design and a bridge between MEP designers and manufacturers 

MEP systems contribute between 15% and 50% of embodied carbon in commercial buildings and can account for up to 50% of embodied carbon in retrofits over a building’s lifetime. While operational carbon emissions, such as heating, cooling and lighting, have already been successfully reduced, the embodied carbon from building materials, including MEP systems, has a huge carbon-reducing potential. Jonas Gesenhues, Product Data Manager at MagiCAD Group, shares how smart data integration leads the way to net-zero buildings. 

Data integration ensures that all stakeholders are working from a single source of accurate information. For example, designers can immediately see the environmental impact of selected MEP products, enabling them to make more informed decisions. This further encourages product manufacturers to develop increasingly carbon-optimised products and make their environmental data available, fuelling a virtuous circle. 

“The construction sector is so massive that every emission reduction matters. By building digital bridges between stakeholders, we can shift from reactive to proactive carbon strategies, ” says Jonas Gesenhues. 

We call this framework Avoid–Shift–Improve, and this is how it works: 

Avoid – cut carbon at the source 

Reducing embodied carbon begins by avoiding or eliminating unnecessary material use from the beginning. Efficient design strategies, powered by tools like MagiCAD MEP design software, can help reduce the need for excess materials, cutting costs and minimising the embodied carbon impact. It is also good practice to design with the circular economy in mind: design for disassembly and use recycled materials. 

“The first step in reducing CO2 emissions is to avoid unnecessary use of carbon-intensive materials by improving design and using better data,“ Jonas Gesenhues says. 

Case example: A ventilation system was redesigned using digital tools to eliminate unnecessary duct branches. The result: lower installation costs and significantly less embodied carbon. 

Shift – move to low-carbon alternatives 

The next step is to encourage the manufacturers to shift to materials with lower carbon footprints, such as bio-based or recycled materials. Environmental Product Declarations, or EPDs are vital in identifying which products have the lowest environmental impact. They provide transparency on the CO2 emissions associated with the entire life cycle of a product. 

“Wherever possible, manufacturers should shift from high-carbon materials to low-carbon or renewable alternatives to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of MEP systems,“ says Jonas Gesenhues. 

Case example: HVAC designers using MagiCAD MEP design software noticed their system’s CO2 budget was exceeded. They swapped high-emission fire dampers with verified low-carbon alternatives using the software filtering features – bringing the project back in line with its sustainability goals. 

Improve – optimise what you can’t avoid 

Finally, the improve step focuses on enhancing traditional systems and materials. This includes switching to renewable-powered steel production, smart system design, precision installation and circular manufacturing. 

“While shifting to new materials is essential, improving the sustainability of traditional materials and systems is also critical for reducing the carbon footprint of MEP systems,” says Jonas Gesenhues. 

Case example: An HVAC manufacturer adopted recycled aluminium in its production. The result was a significant reduction in embodied carbon of key components. 

Data-driven design: the role of MEP designers 

MEP designers are on the front line of carbon-conscious design. With digital tools like MagiCAD MEP design software, they can achieve 30–50% reductions in embodied carbon by: 

• Filtering products by EPDs and CO2 values. 

• Comparing material impacts during early-stage design. 

• Getting real-time notifications when product choices exceed carbon targets. 

The ability to track, compare, and refine product choices allows carbon optimisation to become a daily design habit not just a sustainability add-on. 

“Designers no longer have to guess they can act on real data and make measurable carbon savings,” says Gesenhues. 

Empowering MEP manufacturers 

MagiCAD Group’s ecosystem doesn’t just support MEP designers. It also provides manufacturers with a direct channel to sustainability-conscious buyers. This offers many benefits: 

• Showcase verified product data and EPDs. 

• Increase visibility to designers seeking low-carbon alternatives. 

• Align with future legislation, like the Digital Product Passport (DPP). 

• Stay competitive as carbon standards evolve. 

“Manufacturers who share environmental data are more likely to be specified in sustainable projects. Data transparency is becoming a competitive advantage,” Gesenhues explains.

The big picture: integration is everything 

Data integration ensures all stakeholders designers, manufacturers or contractors are working from a shared, accurate source of truth. Without it, outdated or incomplete data leads to missed carbon targets and higher life-cycle costs. 

Looking forward, MagiCAD MEP design software aims to offer extended data capabilities and integrate LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) features, further enabling project-wide emissions tracking and net-zero design. 

“A circular, data-driven construction model isn’t optional, it’s essential. Every smart material choice we make today builds a more sustainable future,” concludes Gesenhues.