The 2021 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction predicts that, by 2060, the global building floor area will have doubled.1 Construction materials and construction activities currently accounts for 11% of worldwide energy-related greenhouse gas emissions,2 but as the demand for buildings and infrastructure grows, this figure is set to skyrocket.
The “embodied carbon” in buildings comes from the use of energy-intensive building materials and products. The manufacture of cement, steel, aluminum, glass and insulation materials contributes to the depletion of natural resources and the release of greenhouse gases.
To avoid locking carbon into the built environment for decades, the design and construction sector needs to focus on reducing the upfront carbon footprint of buildings and developments. Specifying building materials and products with a minimal carbon footprint or that are carbon neutral can contribute to addressing climate change.
Choosing the right building products for sustainable buildings involves considering various factors. In this whitepaper, we examine what carbon-conscious specification means in today’s landscape and discuss the key factors that contribute to informed product decisions.