Supply chain and construction practices for low-carbon construction

The construction sector plays a pivotal role in the economic development of nations, acting as a major contributor to global GDP and employment. However, the construction industry and its supply chain account for around 39% of global CO₂ emissions, yet it is challenging to minimise due to its complex and fragmented nature. Understanding the practices that assist low-carbon construction is imperative to reduce excessive emissions, yet limited attention has been received from academia and industry. Thus, this chapter examines carbon emissions in the construction supply chain and practices to be carried out for low-carbon construction. The initial part of the chapter discusses the construction supply chain, its characteristics, and low-carbon construction. The findings of the chapter are dedicated to carbon emissions and practices that can be adopted for low-carbon construction at different stages of the building life cycle. The findings reveal that embracing renewable energy sources, utilising energy-efficient machinery and equipment, and following policies, standards, and regulations are key low-carbon practices within the cradle-to-gate system boundary. Further, local sourcing, intermodal transportation, and optimising logistical operations were posed as significant practices for reducing carbon emissions associated with transport and logistics management. Moreover, off-site construction, managing waste through recycling and reusing, and design optimisation are vital practices to adopt at construction sites to drive towards low-carbon construction.