Below is a template that you can use to record and assess the CO2 emission factors for some of the most commonly used building materials. This template uses industry average numbers for the CO2 emissions per unit of each material. These figures can vary depending on the production methods, location, and specific material formulations, but they provide a general baseline for environmental impact assessments.
Material | CO2 Emission Factor (kg CO2 per ton) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Cement | 870 | Standard Portland cement. |
Steel | 1,800 | Includes production from iron ore. |
Aluminum | 9,300 | Primarily due to energy-intensive production. |
Glass | 715 | Includes float glass used in windows. |
Brick | 200 | Traditional clay bricks. |
Concrete | 150 | Mix of Portland cement with aggregates. |
Plastics (PVC) | 2,000 | Commonly used in pipes, fixtures, and insulation. |
Wood (Softwood) | -250 to 500 | Range depends on sourcing; can be carbon negative if sustainably sourced. |
Insulation (Foam) | 3,200 | Based on polyurethane foam. |
Asphalt | 30 | Used in roofing and paving. |
Drywall | 800 | Based on gypsum; includes the energy for drying panels. |
CO2 Emission Factor: Represents the amount of CO2 produced per ton of material manufactured. This includes emissions from raw material extraction, processing, and manufacturing.
Negative Emissions: For materials like sustainably sourced wood, the emission factor can be negative, indicating that the material acts as a carbon sink, absorbing more CO2 during its growth than is emitted during processing and use.
Variability: Emission factors can vary significantly based on specific production technologies, efficiency improvements, and recycling content. It is advisable to obtain specific data from manufacturers or industry reports when available for precise calculations.
Sustainability Considerations: Consider the full lifecycle of materials, including transport, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal/recycling, to fully understand their environmental impact.
This template provides a standardized way to compare the carbon footprint of various building materials and can be expanded or adjusted based on the specific needs of a project or more detailed industry data. Use this as a tool for making more informed decisions in the selection of materials for construction projects, aiming for both sustainability and performance.
To calculate the environmental impact of a 100 square meter house in terms of CO2 emissions, you'll need to estimate the quantity of each building material used in the construction and then apply the respective CO2 emission factors. For simplicity, let's focus on a few key materials commonly used in the structural components of a house: cement, steel, wood, and drywall. We'll assume typical quantities used for each material in the construction of a 100 square meter house.
Cement CO2 Emissions:
10 tons×870 kg CO2 per ton=8,700 kg CO210tons×870kg CO2 per ton=8,700kg CO2
Steel CO2 Emissions:
2 tons×1,800 kg CO2 per ton=3,600 kg CO22tons×1,800kg CO2 per ton=3,600kg CO2
Wood CO2 Emissions (assuming density of wood is about 500 kg/m³ and wood acts as a slight carbon sink or neutral):
10 m3×500 kg/m3×125 kg CO2 per ton=625 kg CO210m3×500kg/m3×125kg CO2 per ton=625kg CO2
Drywall CO2 Emissions:
5 tons×800 kg CO2 per ton=4,000 kg CO25tons×800kg CO2 per ton=4,000kg CO2
Adding up all the emissions gives us the total CO2 footprint for the construction phase of the house:
8,700 kg CO2+3,600 kg CO2+625 kg CO2+4,000 kg CO2=16,925 kg CO28,700kg CO2+3,600kg CO2+625kg CO2+4,000kg CO2=16,925kg CO2
This figure represents the average annual CO2 emissions associated with the materials used in the construction of the house, distributed over a 50-year lifespan. Note that this does not include emissions from the operational phase of the house (heating, cooling, electricity use), which would typically be calculated separately based on energy usage estimates.
When you use GigOver you can enter those emissions calculations or ask your supplier to add those emissions calculations to the tender. These calculations will become standard practice around the world for the maintenance and construction industry. Now is the time to start to think about how you can be infront of the competiotion and deliver a better product for people and the environment.