The buildings industry is responsible for a vital share of global carbon emissions forming 39%, out of which 11% is embodied carbon, as the World Green Building Council stated. By the middle of this century, with the global population nearing 10 billion, it is anticipated that the size of the worldwide building stock will double. However, a concerning issue lies in the carbon emissions produced even before the building starts operating, jeopardizing a significant portion of our remaining carbon budget.
Assessing Carbon Emissions
As a result, the built environment sector plays a crucial role in addressing the climate emergency, the urgent critical focus should be directed towards tackling upfront carbon to effectively respond to this challenge. The term embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions that are associated with the extraction, manufacturing, transportation and construction of building materials. As the world focuses on the challenge of mitigating climate change, the construction industry needs to adopt sustainability practices and reduce its carbon footprint. This article explores various strategies and initiatives that can help the construction industry reduce embodied carbon in its activities.
A great way to start managing the carbon footprint during construction is to carry out carbon assessment exercises. Through this exercise, contractors can identify the major sources of carbon emissions and take targeted actions to reduce their environmental impact.
The procurement process should consider sourcing the project materials locally if feasible, this will minimize the travel distance required to the project site. Additionally, contractors must consider efficient transportation methods and plan logistics to optimize delivery routes as much as possible.
Energy-efficient machinery
Contractors can also opt for the use of energy-efficient machinery and equipment during the construction process. It is also encouraged that renewable energy is explored to support the construction process with the power necessary including solar-powered generators.
Another strategy with significant influence on embodied carbon reduction is to utilize prefabrication and modular construction techniques, where components are manufactured off-site and assembled on-site. The approach reduces material waste and speeds up the construction process. Innovative technologies are also encouraged that include 3D printing for construction, which can use fewer materials and minimize waste.
Due to the lack of embodied carbon benchmarking in the region, clients are increasingly becoming interested in lifecycle assessments that cover embodied carbon. At Egis we helped clients develop embodied carbon benchmarks for their assets and designed projects with embodied carbon reduction targets and strategic plans.Collaboration between stakeholders such as architects, engineers, suppliers, and contractors is crucial to reduce the embodied carbon in the construction industry. Setting ambitious targets early on and creating feasible reduction plans for all stages of the building's lifecycle, including the construction phase, will lead to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly built environment. Let's work together towards a better future!
* As published in Technical Review Middle East 2023
