What is meant by embodied energy?

Embodied energy refers to the total amount of energy that is required to produce a product throughout its entire life cycle. This includes all the energy needed to extract raw materials, transport them, manufacture the product, and manage its eventual disposal or recycling. Thus, the concept encompasses not just the energy consumed during the product's usage phase, but also the energy investments made in earlier stages of production.

By understanding embodied energy, stakeholders can assess the environmental impacts of a product more comprehensively, as it accounts for the cumulative energy inputs over the product’s lifespan. This insight is particularly valuable when evaluating sustainable practices, as it highlights opportunities for reducing energy consumption and enhancing efficiency throughout a product's lifecycle.