Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.1 CO
2
emitted into
atmosphere at the various
steps of a building life cycle
(BIS
2010
)
Steps
Amount of CO
2
emitted
Quantity (Mt)
%
Design
1.3
0.5
Manufacture
45.2
15
Distribution
2.8
1
Operation on-site
2.6
1
In use
246.4
83
Refurbishment/demolition
1.3
0.4
Total
298.4
100
that have been adopted all over the world on the emission of greenhouse gases
including CO
2
into the atmosphere to limit the rise of the global average tem-
perature. As for example, EU is currently promoting a goal of 30 % reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared to 1990 levels in developed countries
(Koukkari et al.
2007
). The targets for various measures up to 2020 in the EU
include (Koukkari et al.
2007
):
- 20 % improvement of energy efficiency of cars, buildings and appliances and
especially:
- 30 % reduction of final energy use of buildings;
- 20 % share of renewable energy on average;
- 10 % share of biofuels;
- Nearly 0 % emissions of new power plants.
Several factors such as energy saving methodologies and techniques, improved
use of materials, increasing service life of products, further reuse/recycle of
materials, eco-designing and emission control need to be considered for the
development of sustainable construction materials. The durability of construction
material is another factor that needs to be considered seriously for sustainable
construction. A durable building material has a technically better and longer
service life and therefore reduces the cost and amount of materials used in repair
and in new constructions in a particular time period.
Material efficiency is one of the most important components of sustainable
construction materials. Correct selection of materials by taking into account their
complete service lifetime and by choosing products with minimal environmental
impacts can reduce CO
2
emissions by up to 30 % (González and Navarro
2006
).
Without compromising on the quality of the end product, the use of locally pro-
duced materials as well as of renewable and recycled sources should be encour-
aged. In this way, transportation costs and problems associated with the disposal of
other industrial waste can also be reduced. The recycling/reusability of con-
struction products at the end of their service life should also be considered during
the selection of materials. Higher recycling/reusability of construction products
after their service life can reduce the generated amount of waste and associated
disposal problems.
