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Abstract
The building and construction sector is the largest carbon emitter, accounting for more than one-third of annual global emissions. The emissions can be divided into operational and embodied carbon, associated with building operations and building materials, respectively. To achieve carbon neutral buildings, both operational and embodied carbon should be minimized throughout a building’s life cycle. However, most climate research and action focus on minimizing operational carbon, while efforts to reduce embodied carbon have lagged. This report provides an overview of the methodologies used to assess embodied carbon emissions at each life cycle stage of a building. The databases and tools designed for life cycle assessments (LCA) are compared in the U.S. context. The case studies that evaluate carbon reduction strategies are reviewed with a particular focus on resilient design, structural retrofits, structural system selection, and material specification. In addition, this report identifies areas of insufficient knowledge and outlines future research needs for embodied carbon assessment and reduction. Finally, this report provides an overview of international standards and building codes related to the embodied carbon of buildings. Overall, this report offers valuable guidance and insights to support ongoing decarbonization efforts in the building sector. By highlighting innovative strategies and best practices, it provides a useful resource for industry experts, policy makers, and researchers seeking to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
The building and construction sector is the largest carbon emitter, accounting for more than one-third of annual global emissions. The emissions can be divided into operational and embodied carbon, associated with building operations and building materials, respectively. To achieve carbon neutral buildings, both operational and embodied carbon should be minimized throughout a building’s life cycle. However, most climate research and action focus on minimizing operational carbon, while efforts to reduce embodied carbon have lagged. This report provides an overview of the methodologies used to assess embodied carbon emissions at each life cycle stage of a building. The databases and tools designed for life cycle assessments (LCA) are compared in the U.S. context. The case studies that evaluate carbon reduction strategies are reviewed with a particular focus on resilient design, structural retrofits, structural system selection, and material specification. In addition, this report identifies areas of insufficient knowledge and outlines future research needs for embodied carbon assessment and reduction. Finally, this report provides an overview of international standards and building codes related to the embodied carbon of buildings. Overall, this report offers valuable guidance and insights to support ongoing decarbonization efforts in the building sector. By highlighting innovative strategies and best practices, it provides a useful resource for industry experts, policy makers, and researchers seeking to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change.
Date
9/2024
9/2024
Author(s)
Page(s)
1-90
1-90
Keyword(s)
Buildings; embodied carbon; life cycle assessment; natural disasters; damage and repair; resilient design; structural retrofits; carbon offsets; design optimization
Buildings; embodied carbon; life cycle assessment; natural disasters; damage and repair; resilient design; structural retrofits; carbon offsets; design optimization