Builders for Climate Action have found that embodied carbon accounted for an outsized portion of greenhouse gas emissions for new low-rise construction.
A new white paper from the group says that the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced by using conventional materials. The highest embodied carbon came from a building with high-Portland-cement concrete, and extruded polystyrene and spray-foam insulation. A typical model included concrete with some supplemental cementitious materials (SCMs), along with mineral wool insulation.
A lower-carbon alternative, called a “drawdown building” incorporated high-SCM concrete, and cellulose and wood fiber insulation. The carbon-storing model included:
· Insulated concrete forms with high-SCM concrete
· Expanded glass sub-grade insulation
· Straw and wood fiberboard insulation
· Wood cladding
· Compressed straw panel interior walls
· ReWall interior finishes
· Wood windows
· Linoleum and Forest Stewardship Council-certified softwood flooring
· Cedar shake roofing
An energy-efficient drawdown building located in Toronto and using renewable grid electricity would avoid 614 metric tons of carbon emissions over 30 years, according to the report. One caveat: Drawdown buildings rely heavily on wood products, and there are emerging questions about whether wood is universally a carbon-storing material.
Related Stories
| Feb 12, 2013
California resolves ADA inconsistencies with 2013 building code
The recently adopted 2013 California Building Code (CBC) revisions bring the state code in line with the federal Americans With Disabilities Act 2010.
| Feb 12, 2013
Bullitt Foundation says Living Building Challenge can only be met after code change
The 50,000 sf Bullitt Center in Seattle is being constructed to be the greenest, most energy-efficient commercial building in the world, and meet the ambitious goals of the Living Building Challenge.
| Feb 12, 2013
Tilt-Up Concrete Assn. offers technical advice on 2012 International Energy Code
The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) says it can be a major industry resource in helping designers adhere to the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
| Feb 8, 2013
WDMA releases national policy agenda for windows, doors, skylights
Document urges a regulatory stance that will support manufacturing, including favorable building codes and tax policy.
| Feb 6, 2013
Green-roofing bills approved by New Jersey's state Assembly
Two bills that would require installation of green and blue roofs on new government buildings received overwhelming approval from the state Assembly in New Jersey.
| Feb 6, 2013
BOMA favors voluntary energy benchmarking and disclosure, opposes mandates
The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) International announced support for voluntary energy benchmarking, but said it opposes mandates for benchmarking, disclosure, and labeling that many states and municipalities are implementing.
| Feb 6, 2013
Lumber Standard Committee approves new Southern Pine design value changes
The American Lumber Standard Committee Board of Review has approved the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau’s design value changes for all sizes and grades of visually graded Southern Pine dimension lumber.
| Feb 6, 2013
CEIR seeks public input on draft of PV racking and attachment document
The Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing (CEIR) has released the first public draft of PV Racking and Attachment Criteria for Effective Low Slope Metal Panel Roof System Integrationfor an initial round of public comment.
| Feb 6, 2013
Insurance Institute demonstration shows advantages of following wind resistance standards
A demonstration by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety shows how powerful winds affect concrete-and-steel buildings built with different techniques.
| Jan 31, 2013
Proposed ASHRAE legionellosis prevention standard open for third public comment
Changes to a proposed ASHRAE legionellosis prevention standard associated with building water systems are open for public comment.