![]() A statement released by the UIA said: "Urban areas account for more than 70% of global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, mainly buildings. New materials and solutions have been developed at a rapid pace, and there are already several good examples of building designs and even urban designs that address the concept of carbon neutrality. ![]() It is notable that the world of architecture has sought to contribute to this issue since it has taken a leading role in the process of change. Save this picture! Westborough Primary School / Cottrell & Vermeulen Architecture Ltd. ![]() The most objective way to compare products/solutions’ carbon footprint is by measuring their EPD (Environmental Product Declarations) which gives an indication of their environmental impact over the whole lifecycle.ĭuring the construction phase, it is important to address the impact of heavy machinery, transportation of materials and waste generation as well as its proper disposal. For example, there are natural materials in which the production process is very low, but their transportation to the construction site can be the big villain, like natural stones and some types of wood. There are manufacturers that are already seeking to mitigate these effects. In Brazil, for example, the steel industry accounts for about 35% of the carbon emissions of the industrial sector, while cement production accounts for 19%. As we have already discussed, the extraction, production, and transportation of basic building materials use a tremendous amount of energy and carbon. Understand the materials specified in the project and where they come from. Therefore, thinking about proper insulation, natural lighting and shading can greatly decrease the need for energy use later on. It is important to consider how to influence the occupation and use of buildings and infrastructure, in fact, it is estimated that 20% of the impact in terms of energy consumption occurs in the design phase and construction, while 80% happens in the phase of operation of the building. Image Cortesia de Hewitt StudiosĪ good project can reduce carbon emissions during the use of the building. Save this picture! Berkeley Green Skills Centre / Hewitt Studios. Here are some points that should be taken into account to decrease carbon footprint in your projects: ![]() Although the subject seems broad and almost oblivious to us, the materials you choose and the way you work with them have a footprint that you should consider. Carbon neutralization is an alternative that seeks to avoid the consequences of the imbalance of the greenhouse effect, from a calculation of carbon emission. ![]() The concept of embodied carbon addresses the sum of the impact of all greenhouse gas emissions attributed to materials throughout their life cycle (soil extraction, manufacturing, construction, utilization/maintenance, and end-of-life/disposal). The construction industry has a significant impact, with materials and construction products causing carbon dioxide emissions in activities such as mining, transportation, factories and combining chemical products. As the consequences of climate change become clearer, both governments and private sector companies are setting targets for carbon emission reductions, since these are regarded as the main greenhouse gases, and their high concentration in the atmosphere lead to air pollution and acid rain, among other consequences. According to the World Bank, if the world's population reaches even the projected number of 9.6 billion people by 2050, it will take almost three Earth planets to provide the natural resources needed to maintain humanity's current lifestyle.Įvery day an enormous amount of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere through industry, transportation, burning fossil fuels and even respiration of plants and living things. That is, we are withdrawing and polluting nature more than it can naturally recover. Since the 1970s, humanity’s resource consumption began to exceed what the planet could renew in a year. ![]()
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