Understanding and mitigating environmental impact is becoming increasingly important in sustainable project management. One of the most effective ways to assess a project’s sustainability is through carbon modelling, a method used to calculate the carbon footprint of different elements within a project, from material selection to production, transportation, and disposal. To gain a deeper insight into how this process works, we spoke with Erik Sørensen Ruiz, Manager of Global Partnerships and Sustainability at Modulex, about the role carbon modelling plays in shaping more sustainable projects.

What is Carbon Modelling?

According to Erik, carbon modelling is a data-driven approach to measuring the impact of different products, project phases, and operational processes. It provides a complete picture of how a project contributes to carbon emissions at every stage of its lifecycle.
“Carbon modelling is built around impact calculation data,” Erik explains. “We analyse carbon data associated with raw materials, production processes, transportation, and the product’s end-of-life disposal. This allows us to quantify the carbon footprint of each phase and determine where improvements can be made.”

For companies working on visual communication, signage, and brand implementation, this means evaluating the carbon footprint of materials like aluminium, acrylic, and vinyl and considering factors such as energy consumption during manufacturing, transportation emissions, and product longevity.

Why Should Businesses Measure Their Carbon Footprint?

Many organisations make sustainability decisions based on a single aspect, for example, choosing a recyclable material or opting for an energy-efficient production process. However, Erik emphasises that carbon modelling takes a holistic approach. “Sustainability isn’t just about one key decision—it’s about considering every stage of a project,” he says. “Carbon modelling ensures that we aren’t just making surface-level changes but are integrating sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of a project.”

Beyond that, carbon modelling also allows sustainability to be treated as a Key Performance Indicator (KPI). Instead of addressing carbon reduction at a single point in the project, organisations can set carbon goals at the outset and track their progress through every phase.
“Using carbon modelling, you can monitor sustainability the same way you would track financial performance or efficiency metrics,” Erik explains. “It ensures accountability and provides concrete data to support decision-making.”

How Does Carbon Modelling Work?

Carbon modelling relies on lifecycle assessment (LCA) data, quantifying the environmental impact of different materials and processes. Erik describes how this methodology is applied in signage and brand implementation: “We analyse life cycle data on the raw materials used to produce signage, wayfinding products, and architectural branding elements. This includes measuring the impact of extracting raw materials, manufacturing components, and transporting the final product to the client.”

However, not every single component is analysed. Some elements, such as structural bolts or fasteners, have no meaningful alternative that wouldn’t compromise safety or performance. Instead, carbon modelling prioritises the materials and processes that contribute most to a project’s carbon footprint and identifies areas where changes can have the most significant impact. “If a product is primarily made of aluminium, we won’t ignore that in our calculations,” Erik explains. “But we also recognise that some technical or aesthetic components—like transparent plastics for illuminated signs—may have limited sustainable alternatives. The goal is to make impactful, data-backed decisions without compromising functionality.”

What Tools and Methodologies Are Used?

Carbon modelling is grounded in internationally recognised lifecycle analysis standards (ISO standards). These standards ensure that sustainability assessments are comprehensive and credible, providing companies with reliable data to drive their sustainability initiatives.
“We use full lifecycle analysis documents published in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which provide standardised carbon footprint data,” Erik says. “In some cases, we also tailor this data to our specific supply chain, ensuring accuracy for our unique production processes.”

The Future of Carbon Modelling in Project Management

As businesses increasingly commit to reducing their environmental impact, carbon modelling is becoming an essential tool for sustainable project planning. By tracking emissions at every stage, organisations can make informed decisions that lead to lower-carbon solutions, cost savings, and improved corporate sustainability performance.

At Modulex, Erik and his team continue to refine their carbon modelling approach, ensuring that sustainability remains integrated, measurable, and actionable.” The key is measuring impact and using that data to drive meaningful change,” Erik concludes. “With carbon modelling, we’re not just talking about sustainability—we’re actively making it happen.”

By leveraging carbon modelling, businesses can gain deeper insights into their environmental impact, set clear sustainability goals, and make data-driven decisions that benefit both the planet and their bottom line. If your company wants to reduce its carbon footprint, investing in comprehensive carbon modelling is crucial for a more sustainable future.