Today, the construction industry is responsible for 33% of
global energy consumption and 39% of greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore,
decarbonization of buildings is critical among the measures that can be taken
against climate change.
Architects and all building sector workers play an important
role in the development and implementation of strategies that will decarbonize
architecture.This role is to design and plan for operational and resident
carbon reduction throughout the life cycles of the building and all building
materials, including manufacture, transportation, installation and lifecycle.
For architects seeking concrete solutions in this regard, we have summarized some strategies to decarbonize architecture;
1.Approach Decarbonization on Three Levels
The World Resources Institute provides a list of strategies
ordered by priority. The DKE list approaches the decarbonisation of buildings
at three different levels;
1) Reducing operational carbon in existing buildings through
energy efficiency,
2) Use of renewable energy, ideally on site or nearby if
necessary, to meet the remaining low energy demand;
3) Reducing the carbon contained in new buildings throughout
their entire lifecycle.
2. Targeting the Early Stage of the Project
A new project needs to be started with a rigorous approach to
decarbonisation. Planning low-carbon design practices is both the most
efficient and cost-effective option. Embedded carbon, which is defined as the
amount of carbon released during the production phase of a product, is also
important for existing structures. However, as materials are already in use in
existing structures, reducing operational carbon is a priority.
3. Preference for Biologically Sourced Materials, Reuse or
Recycling of Existing Materials
Biologically sourced materials such as wood, hemp wool and
wood fiber reduce carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere by storing carbon. Therefore,
are effective and sustainable materials. Reusing existing materials eliminates
the need to mine and manufacture new materials at high environmental costs. Using
as much recycled material as possible is a powerful strategy for architects
working towards decarbonizing structures.
4. Consideration of Internal Elements as Potential Carbon
Emitters
A common mistake designers make is to forget potentially
important construction equipment, mechanics and technical equipment when
calculating embodied carbon. The fact that these items are short-lived and
replaceable during the building's life cycle does not make them unimportant. Calculated
by taking these elements into account, embodied carbon would be more accurate.
5. Emphasis on Circular Economy
A structure designed with a circular economy in mind consumes less resources throughout its life cycle as it is
resource efficient, adaptable and long-lasting. A planning based on the circular economy includes all of the above-mentioned strategies. The construction industry is responsible for around half of all the materials mined and a third of the waste products in all of Europe. Therefore, eliminating the negative effects of waste through reuse and recycling is one of the strategies for curbing global warming.
6. Using Life Cycle Assessments and EPDs
The carbon output of buildings is assessed through Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) set by international standards and results published in third-party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). EPDs and life cycle assessments are regulated by international standards to standardize the way products are evaluated. Architects determine and evaluate the carbon footprint of the building they design through these assessments.
To approach decarbonization holistically, embodied carbon,
operational carbon, existing buildings, new buildings, circular economy,
lightweight or bioderived materials, recycling and more should be considered. While
all of these strategies create important individual solutions, it takes a
global collective effort to decarbonize structures. Supporting global and local
initiatives such as the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, the Global
Alliance for Buildings and Construction, the Carbon Leadership Forum helps
raise awareness of this issue.
