Embodied Carbon (EC) will account for nearly half the global carbon emissions from new construction in the next 30 years. The urgency with which industry professionals, real estate developers, product manufacturers, and property owners must work together to reduce EC in their projects and product selections is mounting. Though sometimes in conflict, EC and Operational Carbon (OC) must be addressed holistically, rather than solving for one at the expense of the other. Using a new affordable housing development as an example, the project architect and sustainability consultant will explore this delicate balance, provide participants with a framework for addressing both EC and OC, and explain how this approach can also increase equity.