Construction industry must address whole-life CO2 emissions in buildings, warn academics

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Academics from the University of Manchester have warned that the UK building sector must take more serious consideration into cutting whole-life CO2 emissions in buildings

Research has revealed that the building sector accounts for 40% of global emissions, and the UK building sector is responsible for approximately 25% of domestic emissions.

The piece was published by Ms Too and Dr Ejohwomu at the University’s policy engagement unit.

They wrote: “At a tipping point for global action on climate change, this is truly building a house on sand.”

Three areas where policymakers can take action to reduce whole-life CO2 emissions in buildings have been outlined:

1. Manufacturers should be mandated to produce Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for all materials.
2. Update building code regulations to include considerations for whole-life carbon impacts. 
3. Introduce project-level carbon budgets based on predefined boundaries and benchmarks aligned with sectoral carbon limits, with a target time of three to five years.

Commenting on how this research can enable the building sector to reduce the whole-life CO2 emissions in buildings, Ms Too and Dr Ejohwomu said: “By acting on these recommendations, policymakers can lead a combined effort to balance environmental goals with economic considerations.

 

“To not do so and continue to ignore the whole-life emissions of buildings risks locking in unsustainable buildings for decades.”