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An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation

Author

Listed:
  • Augustine Blay-Armah

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK)

  • Ali Bahadori-Jahromi

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, London W5 5RF, UK)

  • Anastasia Mylona

    (Research Department, The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), London SW12 9BS, UK)

  • Mark Barthorpe

    (LIDL Great Britain Ltd., 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS, UK)

  • Marco Ferri

    (LIDL Great Britain Ltd., 19 Worple Road, London SW19 4JS, UK)

Abstract

The growing awareness of the need to minimise greenhouse gas (GHG) and mitigate climate change has resulted in a greater focus on the embodied carbon ( EC ) of construction material. One way to ensure the environmental impact of building activities is minimised to a reasonable level is the calculation of their EC . Whilst there are a few studies investigating the role of embodied carbon factor (ECF) databases on the accuracy of EC calculation from cradle to gate, very little is known about the impact of different databases on the end-of-life (EoL) EC calculation. Using ECFs derived from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) default values and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) suggested percentages for different elements of a building’s lifecycle stages, this study presents the impact of different data sources on the calculation of EoL EC . The study revealed that a lack of EoL ECFs databases could result in a significant difference of about 61% and 141% in the calculation of EC .

Suggested Citation

  • Augustine Blay-Armah & Ali Bahadori-Jahromi & Anastasia Mylona & Mark Barthorpe & Marco Ferri, 2022. "An Evaluation of the Impact of Databases on End-of-Life Embodied Carbon Estimation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:4:p:2307-:d:752030
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen Chen & Zengfeng Zhao & Jianzhuang Xiao & Robert Tiong, 2021. "A Conceptual Framework for Estimating Building Embodied Carbon Based on Digital Twin Technology and Life Cycle Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Golnaz Mohebbi & Ali Bahadori-Jahromi & Marco Ferri & Anastasia Mylona, 2021. "The Role of Embodied Carbon Databases in the Accuracy of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Calculations for the Embodied Carbon of Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Seo, Seongwon & Kim, Junbeum & Yum, Kwok-Keung & McGregor, James, 2015. "Embodied carbon of building products during their supply chains: Case study of aluminium window in Australia," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 105(PA), pages 160-166.
    4. Chau, C.K. & Xu, J.M. & Leung, T.M. & Ng, W.Y., 2017. "Evaluation of the impacts of end-of-life management strategies for deconstruction of a high-rise concrete framed office building," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1595-1603.
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    6. Onat, Nuri Cihat & Kucukvar, Murat, 2020. "Carbon footprint of construction industry: A global review and supply chain analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    7. Mona Abouhamad & Metwally Abu-Hamd, 2021. "Life Cycle Assessment Framework for Embodied Environmental Impacts of Building Construction Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
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