Less than 1% of new building projects are assessed to determine their carbon footprint, according to a new report by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development.
The report cites a lack of information on embodied emissions as a key barrier. The overcome this challenge, the report calls for more data sharing, more collaboration, and increased transparency on embodied carbon and other data critical to calculating the carbon footprint of new buildings.
Half of all emissions are embodied in buildings—caused by the manufacturing of materials and the construction process—the report says. The report also calls for the industry to adopt whole-life carbon assessments and set clear targets for decarbonizing construction.
There are about 255 billion square meters of buildings in the world, with an additional 5.5 billion square meters added each year. That is equivalent to a city the size of Paris being constructed every week.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 14, 2020
Metal Construction Assn. releases three EPD updates
Pertain to Metal Composite Materials, Insulated Metal Panels, and Roll Formed Aluminum and Steel Cladding.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: July 13, 2020
4 technologies for improving building sanitation and tech's ever-evolving impact on the multifamily space.
Codes and Standards | Jul 9, 2020
Funding opportunity for field validation of high-impact building technologies
Dept. of Energy program targets dynamic interactions with electric grid.
Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2020
Standards for reducing risk of COVID-19 in senior living communities
AIA releases strategies and illustrations for the sector.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2020
Guide presents benefits of public-private partnerships
Discusses process from project conception to construction.
Codes and Standards | Jul 1, 2020
COVID-19 public health guidelines may be downplaying building systems solutions
Emphasis on cleaning surfaces overlooks importance of mechanical infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
WELL building institute steps up health safety rating for hotels and resorts
Certification body forms advisory group of industry leaders and health experts.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 30, 2020
Affordable housing comes to the Bay Area and this is not the end of cities.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
Mandated building retrofits are necessary to meet climate crisis
Performance standards could greatly reduce GHG emissions.
Codes and Standards | Jun 29, 2020
New buildings can fall short of designed performance
Similar structures can produce different energy usage results.
