Pathway to Zero Carbon Building: Embodied Carbon
Derya Polat
| Sustainability Expert | Entrepreneur | Film Director | Generative AI | Creative Writer | Sustainability Editor | ESG Reporting | Educator on ESRS |
Hello everyone, in this series of "Pathway to Zero Carbon Building", taking into account the fact that approximately 30% of all global carbon emissions are attributed to the building sector, I intend to explore and share the steps we need to take in an area where many sectors intersect to avoid climate collapse. By learning and sharing, I aim to provide a holistic perspective for sustainability and building professionals in sectors encompassing construction, materials, and energy. According to the ZCB-Design Standard, attaining a zero carbon building entails assuming accountability for all carbon emissions throughout the building's life cycle. It's an ambitious yet crucial goal, as every unit of carbon holds significance within the framework of a global carbon budget -every bit of carbon counts.
Let's start the journey by understanding embodied carbon!
According to the UN Global alliance, "Embodied Carbon Emissions" represent approximately 10% of all energy-related carbon emissions globally.
As time is increasingly running out for the entire world, global emission levels will continue to rise unabated if preventive measures are not taken, and our urgent action plans will prove inadequate. At this juncture, it is imperative that we understand what embodied carbon is, because embodied carbon emissions represent approximately 10% of all energy-related carbon emissions globally.
Embodied carbon is the total of carbon emissions associated with materials and construction processes throughout the whole life cycle of a building. It includes the process from the extraction of raw materials, manufacturing, transportation, installation, to maintenance.
How Do We Measure Embodied Carbon?
Professionals utilize a method known as life cycle assessment (LCA) to meticulously monitor the emissions generated throughout the entire life cycle of a product or process. Through this approach, emissions are translated into metrics that depict their potential environmental impacts. Among these metrics, global warming potential (GWP) stands out, quantified in kilograms of CO2 equivalent (kg CO2e), commonly recognized as a carbon footprint.
If we do not take action soon to reduce emissions arising from the manufacturing of construction materials, these emissions will continue to increase due to the following reasons:
If we continue construction activities unchecked and without sustainable methods in line with increasing population and demands, we will disproportionately impact other areas such as Global Climate Change, Regional and Local Health Impacts, Supply Chain Concerns, along with the increasing embodied carbon.
To achieve the low-emission targets for 2030 and 2050, four fundamental principles must be observed.
Holistic or systemic thinking approach, takes into account the interactions among various building systems and components, contributing to the creation of something where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and which may even be more economical.
Two major contributors to industrial sector emissions are (1) cement production and (2) iron and steel production (IEA). Addressing emissions from cement and steel production demands a tailored approach due to their inherent processes, which involve:
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Achieving a successful transition to clean manufacturing necessitates strategies extending beyond mere energy reductions to encompass various carbon emissions reduction and removal techniques. While the initial steps to reduce embodied carbon in buildings start within the industrial sector, the construction industry plays a pivotal role by stimulating market demand for low-carbon products. Both public and private policies can signal manufacturers to invest in both short- and long-term solutions. Collaborative endeavor brings together professionals from diverse disciplines, fostering an environment where expertise is shared, ideas are exchanged, and a collective vision is pursued. By embracing this cooperative spirit, all viewpoints are meticulously considered and seamlessly integrated into the design process. This leads to innovative and holistic design solutions that address multiple sustainability aspects effectively.
It is clear that we need new strategies to reduce industrial emissions. In the next phase, I will continue to write extensively on the principles, scope, and applications of zero carbon building.
We are concluding the first article of this series with The Embodied Carbon Policy Toolkit, which provides a range of necessary resources to support the creation of policies that radically reduce embodied carbon, along with an example of a Canadian implementation.
Stay tuned for sustainable solutions for a sustainable future!
These are useful resource readings for you!
Sources
Emissions data from IEA and WRI Climate Watch (2016 GHG Emissions Data)
? Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) Zero Carbon Building Education Notes