Carbon reduction performance and economic analysis in building construction - a pilot trial of low-carbon construction in the O•PARK2 construction phase

Abstract

With the wide application of green building standards to reduce the carbon emissions from the operation phase, the carbon emissions during the construction phase are becoming more and more significant. Carbon footprint management is necessary and low-carbon measures, including low-carbon construction materials, construction site electrification, on-site renewable energy systems, and low-carbon alternative fuels should be considered. Taking a real case of a Design-Build-Operate project, O•PARK2, as a pilot trial, this study investigates the carbon reduction efficiency and cost increment of various low-carbon measures, and introduces the Green Premium Index to explore the tradeoff between carbon reduction and carbon offsetting by credit purchasing. Low-carbon measures adopted in O•PARK2 were proved to be carbon reduction efficient, achieving 4,612 tonnes of CO2e emission reduction. Early development of decarbonisation strategy enables further emission reduction and lower cost increments during the construction phase, in which low-carbon construction material should be prioritised, followed by construction site electrification, and the use of solar panels and B5 biodiesel. With low-carbon construction materials locally manufactured, construction decarbonisation progress in Hong Kong will be significantly enhanced. Lowcarbon construction should see carbon reduction as the main direction, and carbon offsetting as supplemental.