CIF Carbon Calculator: Innovative carbon measurement solution designed specifically for the Irish construction industry

The Construction Industry Federation, in partnership with the Action Sustainability Tool, has launched the ‘CIF Carbon Calculator’, an innovative carbon measurement solution designed specifically for the Irish construction industry.

While measuring your carbon footprint can feel daunting, the calculator removes excuses by making it easy, quick, and useful. By starting with reasonable estimates (Scope 1, 2, and simple Scope 3), you can make decisions sooner, act faster, and avoid being left behind when clients, regulators, and competitors are already moving.

PJ Ryan, Head of ESG, CIF, said: “The sooner you begin carbon reporting, the easier it will be. Wait too long, and you’ll be playing catch-up while your competitors will have stolen a march on you.”

Why start now?

Regulation is coming. Public projects will require carbon reporting from September 2025. The Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will mandate embodied carbon reporting for large buildings from 2028 and for all buildings from 2030.

Main contractors and public bodies increasingly request emissions data in tenders. Even small firms are starting to use the VSME Basic Module.

Building skills for what’s ahead

While the CIF Carbon Calculator is not a Whole Life Carbon tool, it builds competence in measuring:

• Scope 1 emissions: Direct emissions from fossil fuels (oil, gas, petrol, diesel, gasoil).
• Scope 2 emissions: Purchased electricity.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) is developing a methodology and a free embodied carbon calculator for building emissions. Using the CIF tool now will help firms understand their operational data in advance of the 2028 EPBD requirements and the SEAI tool release.

Although emissions can be calculated using spreadsheets, this is more labour-intensive and prone to error, as emissions factors must be entered manually. The CIF Calculator eliminates this friction by embedding the correct factors from the start.

Two routes to suit your needs

Free version: Quick win, no risk

Ideal for aligning annual carbon reporting with your financial year, capturing Scope 1 and 2 emissions plus some simple Scope 3 categories.

Benefits:

• Simple, short videos guide you through each section.
• Emission factors are pre-loaded into the tool.
• Identify the biggest sources of emissions quickly.
• Increase understanding within your team without overwhelming detail.
• Satisfy voluntary reporting for Scope 1 & 2.
• Meet emerging client and main contractor requirements.
• Take meaningful steps before perfect data is even possible.

Using the free version is low-cost signalling to clients and partners that you are a forward-thinking, responsible business – a competitive advantage that requires no major investment.

Paid version: The strategic advantage

For firms bidding for major contracts, working with large main contractors, or reporting under the CSRD.

Benefits:

• All the benefits of the free version, plus:
• Map emissions across your full supply chain (Scope 3).
• Identify where 90%+ of emissions typically occur – in purchased goods and services.
• Support VSME Comprehensive Module reporting.
• Strengthen tenders with advanced, credible sustainability data.

This paid version shifts sustainability from a compliance obligation to a commercial advantage – the kind that can win projects.