Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing The Future
Highlighting the urgent need to develop new models for cooperation on the decarbonisation of building materials
Buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonisation of this sector is critical if we are to mitigate climate change and create a sustainable future.
Many recommendations and best practices already exist when it comes to reducing operational carbon in the built environment. Thus far, embodied carbon has not been examined to the same extent.
This report from the Sustainable Markets Initiative’s Sustainable Buildings Task Force addresses embodied carbon in buildings, with a focus on mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) systems. These components are often overlooked, but they contribute greatly to a building’s emissions.
"Embodied carbon can represent up to 50% of overall lifecycle emissions in new, energy efficient buildings, making it a key factor in reducing GHG emissions."