Description

To combat climate change, the Aotearoa New Zealand Government has committed to a zero-carbon target by 2050. With the construction sector contributing approximately 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions, it must play its part in delivering this bold, critical and long-term emissions reduction target. But how?

Various materials are used to crfeate our buildings. In 2018, the production of building materials released approximately 11% of global energy and process-related carbon emissions. These emissions are expected to grow, driven by a rise in investments.

Specifically, the carbon locked in a building and attributed to its materials accounts for 28% (including biogenic CO₂ sequestration) and for 39% (excluding biogenic CO₂ sequestration) of its life cycle carbon emissions. As operational carbon becomes better managed and gradually reduced with technological advances and innovation, it is expected that embodied carbon will make up an increasing proportion of a building’s total emissions.

Scope

In this article:

• Limiting material consumption
• Material durability relevant to carbon in buildings
• System-based approach for material durability
• Ready for increased durability?
• Not the end but the beginning