Carbon emissions quantification and verification strategies for large-scale construction projects

Abstract

Construction processes are highly energy-intensive and account for a large share of carbon emissions. Construction stakeholders increasingly need to voluntarily measure and publicly report their carbon emissions from large-scale construction projects. This paper will present a framework to assess carbon emissions and carbon reduction opportunities in large-scale construction projects. It therefore will discuss various strategies to quantify emissions in the planning phase of construction projects and to verify carbon emissions in order to provide guidelines for stakeholders. In addition, the quantification scope for construction projects and the impact of different scope definitions are discussed. The presented framework will facilitate construction stakeholders in internally identifying and mitigating the carbon-related risks caused by their construction projects. It also will facilitate their participation in voluntary GHG reporting and reduction programs. © 2012 ASCE.