Chapter 10 - Emissions

Abstract

The construction industry contributes significantly to environmental pollution. Construction, including the building sector, first began to recognize the impact of its activities on sustainable development in the 1990s. The building sector, on the one hand, has a strong influence on economics and the society itself and thus enhancing the standard of living and well-being of humankind. On the other hand, construction is often associated with the impairment of the environment. The main focus in achieving the goal of sustainable construction is to improve building performance so as to reduce energy use and emissions. The use of sustainable technologies and environmentally friendly materials are incorporated in the design and construction of buildings. Life cycle assessment has been developed as a systematic approach to assessing emissions in buildings and has provided information with regard to developing strategies and improving processes to reduce emissions. Therefore, the use and selection of sustainable technologies and improved manufacturing processes in the production of building materials play an important role in reducing energy use and emissions in buildings. This chapter focuses on reviewing the current-state-of-the-art of emissions in buildings, international collaboration for emission reductions, and the advancement of technologies and material to reduce emissions in buildings.