Embodied Carbon: A call to the building industry

Abstract

The demand for building materials will increase drastically in the following decades due to urbanization and population growth. Buildings generate almost 40% of annual global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions contributing to human-induced climate change. Of this fraction, 11% is associated with material production and building construction, and 28% is contributed to the operational activities of a building (heating, cooling, lighting). One primary measure of the climate impact of buildings is embodied carbon (EC). This paper aims to find the recent developments in relation to embodied carbon within the building industry. To achieve this goal, a literature review was conducted to study the EC concept concerning materials and construction. The article explores and presents the state-of-the-art of diverse research and development related to this concept, focusing primarily on (1) the carbon cycle and the building sector, (2) EC benchmarking, (3) bio-based materials, and (4) other low-carbon material alternatives such as the development of carbon capture technologies. The objective of this paper is to summarize current and emerging trends as well as research priorities and tools to inform designers and engineers and facilitate their decision-making during the design process. It also aims to facilitate in advancing the creation of regulations and policies toward natural-based material solutions and the development of low-carbon high-tech material technologies deemed central for a sustainable built environment.