Perception of Embodied Carbon Mitigation Strategies: The Case of Sri Lankan Construction Industry

Lebunu Hewage Udara Willhelm Abeydeera,Tharushi Imalka Samarasinghalage,Jayantha Wadu Mesthrige

doi:10.3390/su11113030

Lebunu Hewage Udara Willhelm Abeydeera, Tharushi Imalka Samarasinghalage + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su11113030

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: May 29, 2019
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Hong Kong Polytechnic University, RMIT University

Abstract

Whilst operational carbon (OC) emission reduction has received greater attention in the literature, embodied carbon (EC) emission reduction aspect has been largely neglected. This is particularly seen in developing countries. This study assessed the awareness and perception of carbon emission in general and EC emission reduction strategies in particular in the Sri Lankan construction industry. A detailed questionnaire, based on a comprehensive literature review, was developed to assess the awareness and perception of the Sri Lankan construction professionals about global carbon emissions, OC emissions, and EC emissions and carbon mitigation strategies. Based on a sample of 111 professionals in the construction sector, results revealed that the Sri Lankan construction professionals have poor awareness about carbon emission, especially about EC emission and EC mitigation strategies. The results further revealed that they are more concerned about the OC emission reduction than the EC emission reduction. The results suggest that they are basically aware of some basic/conventional mitigation strategies such as better design (low-carbon), an extension of building life and refurbishment of existing buildings and carbon tax, but their awareness of recently introduced micro-level technologies/strategies is significantly poor. Findings are a clear reflection of the current situation in many developing countries with regard to carbon emission and mitigation strategies. It was found that a major reason for low awareness was related to the culture: The majority of the respondents believed that actions to reduce carbon footprint should be initiated and handled by the government and other authorities, but not by construction professionals.

Highlights

Global warming is the most serious environmental issue that the global community has to address in the 21st century [1]
The main insight drawn from the findings is that, as the majority of the construction professionals opined that carbon mitigation strategies are a political goal, closer cooperation and collaboration between the government and the construction industry should be a step forward to achieve the goal of carbon reduction
Findings clearly indicate the necessity of enhancing the awareness and knowledge on embodied carbon mitigation strategies among the Sri Lankan construction professionals

Summary

Introduction

According to a special report of emission scenarios (SRES), the global temperature is predicted to increase in the range 1.4°C to 5.8°C between 1990 and 2100 [2]. A major reason for this temperature change is the continuous increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) levels in the atmosphere. CO2 accounts for 9–26% of total GHG emissions [3]. World cities, which occupy only 3% of the earth’s land mass accounts for more than 75% of carbon emissions. The building sector, which accounts for 40% of the total global energy consumption and 30% of the total global carbon emissions, is recognized as one of the most significant contributors to the global carbon emissions [4]. The building sector, has the largest potential to mitigate carbon emissions [5]

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