Loading...
Evaluation of carbon calculators in construction industry: A parametric study
Zafar, A. Atuahene, Bernard T. Alabid, Jamal
Zafar, A.
Atuahene, Bernard T.
Alabid, Jamal
Publication Date
2024-08
End of Embargo
Supervisor
Keywords
Rights
(c) 2024 The Authors. Full-text reproduced with author permission.
Peer-Reviewed
Yes
Open Access status
openAccess
Accepted for publication
Institution
Department
Awarded
Embargo end date
Additional title
Abstract
The construction industry has high energy demand and emissions, and its devasting impact negatively contributes to climate emergency and climate change. A review of government, professional and scientific literature has recommended multiple strategies, including renewable energy adoptions, alternative non-carbon energy sources, circular economy, net zero carbon policies and calculators. The use of carbon calculators as a tool to estimate carbon emissions has become instrumental in guiding construction professionals in selecting appropriate ‘low carbon’ materials for projects. However, the influx of carbon calculators is very important but creates problems for professionals regarding their effectiveness. Therefore, this study compares two popular carbon calculators (One Click LCA Planetary and IStructE) on a building design to ascertain their efficacy. The criteria for the comparison included formats of calculators, commercialisation of calculators, customisation of data, sustainability certifications, data sources, data entry parameters and results/outputs. The findings show a ‘mixed’ outcome regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the calculators. These criteria are key for becoming the basis of selecting an appropriate carbon calculator for analysis. The discussion shows that data for the carbon calculators from countries considered upper-middle-income and/or below are lacking; carbon calculators should be easier to use; the interoperability of carbon calculators with other digital tools is key for not just making the use of the tools attractive but makes it easier to reduce non-value activities in the construction project.
Version
Accepted manuscript
Citation
Zafar A, Atuahene BT and Alabid J (2024) Evaluation of carbon calculators in construction industry: A parametric study. The International Sustainable Ecological Engineering Design for Society Conference. SEEDS 2024. 27-29 Aug 2024. Leeds Beckett, Leeds, UK.
Link to publisher’s version
Link to published version
Link to Version of Record
Type
Conference paper