The role of carbon in sustainable development

This chapter highlights the need for managing carbon in the construction industry, which takes mainly two forms, namely, Operational Carbon (OC) and Embodied Carbon (EC). Measurement of OC and EC has a similar underlying concept though the process is distinctly different. Therefore, this chapter unveils the underlying methodologies of measuring OC and EC and discusses them in detail, giving more attention to EC due to the changing focus from OC to EC. In addition, measurement of OC is standardised in most developed countries while EC measurement is still developing and, thus, suffers due to lack of a standard method of measurement, lack of rich data sources, problems in accuracy of estimating and the like. Further, EC measurement plays a vital role in dual currency approach, where cost and carbon are evaluated in parallel to optimise design solutions. In summary, this chapter introduces OC and EC in construction as the two main types of carbon emissions from construction outputs and explains the measurement process, tools and sources available for estimating. The chapter also discusses the significance of system boundary in life cycle assessment of buildings and issues pertinent to it. A discussion on carbon hotspots is presented by drawing evidence from the literature and comparing literature findings with the case studies presented in this chapter. The shifting of focus from OC to EC is explained and the significance of EC reduction in low carbon trajectory is highlighted. Further, the dual currency approach in construction is discussed by emphasising the significance of EC measurement to dual currency evaluation. In addition, a discussion about drivers and barriers of carbon management is also presented. Finally, future trends and challenges for the construction industry in terms of carbon estimating are identified and the need for standardised approaches to carbon estimating is reiterated.