Assessment of carbon footprint in the construction phase of high-rise constructions in Tehran

Abstract

This study, with the life-cycle approach, examines the carbon footprint of a residential tower in the Tehran Metropolitan City in the construction phase. This paper assessed all sources of carbon emissions in the construction phase, including emissions from manufacturing and extraction of building materials, transportation of building materials, construction equipment, vegetation cover around the building, and transportation of construction waste. According to the results, the highest amounts of carbon footprint were estimated at 83% and 14%, which were, respectively, related to the emissions from transportation of materials and construction wastes. The emissions from the construction phase accounted for the 3% of the total footprints. Also in the manufacturing process of building materials, the highest contributions in CO2 emissions were 78%, 10%, and 6%, belonging to concrete, rebar, and cement mortar, respectively. The results of this study can be used as a criterion for comparing and assessing the preventative measures to reduce and manage CO2 emissions in the construction of similar buildings. The approaches that exist for reducing CO2 emissions in construction include management of amount of waste generated and choosing the types of environmentally friendly building materials and providing materials from factories near the site.