Embodied Carbon in Construction and Its Ecological Implications

Abstract

In the present scenario, embodied carbon constitutes one of the grave concerns as it shares a substantial amount of greenhouse gas emissions mainly resulting from construction activities. The greenhouse gas emission or carbon impact can be categorically divided into two aspects viz., the operational carbon and embodied carbon (EC). With respect to building life cycle, EC is considered as CO2 equivalent which is usually linked to the non-operational stage of the building. The overall carbon of the building includes embodied carbon as well as carbon accompanied with the operation (cooling, heating, powering, and other processes). Whereas the considerable amount of the building’s carbon is sealed into thematerials and structures. Taking embodied carbon into consideration, it can render economic opportunities for carbon savings and lowering of costs against those conventionally addressed through operational savings. Hence, it offers a great chance to lower the carbon impact of the construction industry and increase their carbon savings. Consequently, the embodied carbon emissions that are produced by humans bring about climate change by elevating the temperature of the globe. Various steps and actions have been taken already such as many economic and legislative instruments to mitigate climate change and achieve net zero carbon buildings.