Environmental Sustainability of Building Materials in Turkey: Reference Information Recommendations for European Green Deal Declarations

Abstract

This study provides weight and normalization reference information for declaring the environmental information of building materials produced and exported in Turkey. Reference information was first determined for the global warming potential based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is the subject of the European Union Green Deal Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). For a more holistic approach, reference information is also recommended for environmental impact categories acidification, air pollution, ecological toxicity, eutrophication, fossil fuel depletion, human health, indoor air quality, land use, ozone depletion, photochemical smog formation, and water depletion, in addition to GHG emissions. Reference information is determined based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology defined in the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. Semi-structured interviews were held with twenty-one industry stakeholders in Turkey to determine the weight reference values. The results obtained from the semi-structured interviews were combined using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. Normalization reference information was determined by compiling Turkey’s national emission values. The suggested reference information has been tested using a case study. Total environmental impact scores were calculated for floor coverings and exterior wall finishes, including global warming potentials based on GHG emissions, and eleven other environmental impact categories. The findings support the need to use regional reference information in Turkey. The reference information recommended in this study can be used both in declarations within the scope of the EU Green Deal and in other possible environmental impact declarations resulting from building materials.