A study on whole life cycle of carbon emissions of buildings

• Main Author: Koh, Jia Woei
• Other Authors: Tiong Lee Kong, Robert
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2024
• Subjects: Engineering; LCA; Embodied carbon emissions; Carbon accounting tools; Buildings
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/177104
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Embodied carbon emissions from building materials and construction take up a significant portion of the overall carbon footprint in the built environment. With net zero movement being the focus across the globe, the construction industry is increasingly adopting methods and tools for carbon accounting and reduction. This study examined the current landscape of embodied carbon assessment, with a focus on trends, current practices, research gaps and future needs. A multi-pronged research methodology was employed, combining academic research trends analysis using bibliometric data, interviews with industry professionals, a review of existing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon calculation tools, and a comparative case study. The findings revealed a growing emphasis on integrating LCA practices with Building Information Modelling (BIM) and showcased the variety of different LCA software and regional carbon calculators. It also highlighted the challenges related to data quality, the scope of LCA, and the integration of BIM with LCA. Key research gaps identified were the inaccuracy of the emission factors, LCA early-stage design analysis capabilities, and BIM integration. Recommendations for future work include collaborative efforts to enhance databases and expand current LCA calculator functionalities with BIM. By highlighting current practices, limitations, and future directions, this study serves to provide a foundation for individuals who wish to explore this area of research or work, be it from the academic field or the industry. It gives an overview and a starting point for furthering their interest in the area, in the hope of cultivating the idea of sustainability and the movement towards net zero emissions.