What is embodied energy?

• A. The total energy used in the product life cycle.
• B. The energy content of the material per unit mass.
• C. The energy required to recycle the product only.
• D. The energy used only in transportation.

Answer: (A)

Embodied energy is the total energy used to bring a product to its final form and keep it going through its life cycle. This includes energy to extract and process raw materials, manufacture components, transport materials, assemble and install, maintain during use, and finally dispose of or recycle the product. It isn’t just the energy in the material itself, nor only the energy for transportation or recycling alone. Because it sums all energy inputs from start to end of the product’s life, it truly represents the energy demand of the product over its entire existence.