Estimation and Minimization of Embodied Carbon of Buildings: A Review

Abstract

Building and construction is responsible for up to 30% of annual global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, commonly reported in carbon equivalent unit. Carbon emissions are incurred in all stages of a building's life cycle and are generally categorised into operating carbon and embodied carbon, each making varying contributions to the life cycle carbon depending on the building's characteristics. With recent advances in reducing the operating carbon of buildings, the available literature indicates a clear shift in attention towards investigating strategies to minimize embodied carbon. However, minimizing the embodied carbon of buildings is challenging and requires evaluating the effects of embodied carbon reduction strategies on the emissions incurred in different life cycle phases, as well as the operating carbon of the building. In this paper, the available literature on strategies for reducing the embodied carbon of buildings, as well as methods for estimating the embodied carbon of buildings, is reviewed and the strengths and weaknesses of each method are highlighted.

Development of a Carbon Emissions Analysis Framework Using Building Information Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment for the Construction of Hospital Projects

“…In a broad sense, there are three types of LCA approaches: process-based, economic input-output (EIO), and hybrid [29]. The process-based analysis is a commonly used bottom-up method, which involves identifying all materials and energy flows associated with different activities involved in the production and quantifying the corresponding environmental impacts [30]. The method accounts for the majority of studies in the fields of construction technology due to its accuracy and detailed process [29].…”

“…The method accounts for the majority of studies in the fields of construction technology due to its accuracy and detailed process [29]. Contrary to the process-based LCA, economic input-output analysis is a top-down LCA method [30]. The strength of this method lies in its ability to account for all indirect impacts involved in the supply chain of a product or service on top of the direct environmental impacts [30,31].…”

“…Contrary to the process-based LCA, economic input-output analysis is a top-down LCA method [30]. The strength of this method lies in its ability to account for all indirect impacts involved in the supply chain of a product or service on top of the direct environmental impacts [30,31]. The hybrid method was developed by combining the advantages of the process-based and EIO approaches [32].…”

The Reduction of CO2 Emissions by Application of High-Strength Reinforcing Bars to Three Different Structural Systems in South Korea

“…There are several carbon reduction strategies during the construction phase in building construction. Akbarnezhad and Xiao [15] reviewed extant studies in terms of strategies and methods to reduce the embodied carbon of buildings. They suggest that the embodied carbon of construction materials exhibits a relatively increased trend due to the recent advances in minimising the operating emissions of carbon dioxide.…”

Evaluating the Link between Low Carbon Reductions Strategies and Its Performance in the Context of Climate Change: A Carbon Footprint of a Wood-Frame Residential Building in Quebec, Canada

“…These approaches, are generally subdivided into four classes (1) low carbon materials, (2) material minimization and material reduction strategies, (3) material reuse and recycling strategies and (4) local sourcing and transport minimization [11]. These approaches are translated into decrements in cost, time, defects, health and safety risks, and a consequent increase in quality, predictability, whole-life performance and profitability [12][13][14].…”