Carbon footprint of a multi-storied residential building during the construction process

Abstract

Construction Industry indicates development of the country and it helps in the economic growth which adds productivity and quality of life of citizens. During the manufacturing and the construction processes, there is use and combustion of fossil fuels which results total 39% of total carbon footprint. So, studying carbon footprint for construction companies becomes very important. Many different studies are carried out with giving number of alternatives to reduce the amount of carbon footprint. However, this research is focused mainly on multi-storeyed residential building in renowned city in India, shows the carbon emissions produced by a construction activity right from the material production to the actual execution process. Different Greenhouse gases contributing carbon footprint were also studied & incorporated. Various activities accounting to emissions were listed and their carbon footprint value (in the form of Carbon Dioxide equivalent) was calculated by bottom-up method. The manufacturing of various construction materials and usage of electricity during execution phases of a building causes very bad impact on the environment. The greatest contributors of the carbon footprint are onsite electricity use and building materials manufacturing. Therefore, use of green concrete, renewable energy, prefabricated construction materials and low emission construction equipment & vehicles can help in reducing the values of Carbon Footprint by the construction industry.