The construction sector already emits 10% of global carbon dioxide emissions, with demand for new buildings and renovation of old buildings set to increase in the coming decade. A push towards a circular construction sector could help save energy and cut emissions
A cultural shift and new regulations would support the reuse of carbon-intensive materials
BUY LOCAL Contractors are encouraged to source buildings materials nearby to cut embedded emissions
BEHOLD BEAUTY Cultural perception of buildings should change to reduce level of steel, glass and concrete
KEY QUOTE It’s easy if you have the materials. The great disadvantage is that the materials don’t exist in large scale ...
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Environmental footprints have already become part of the tender criteria for renewable energy support in some countries
The overproducing cement sector is a low-hanging fruit that could help China curb its vast carbon emissions
The Canadian city of Vancouver is leading efforts in North America to slash emissions released in the production of building construction materials, setting itself a 40% by 2030 reduction target
With careful planning and utilising materials within a circular economy, the wind industry can reduce its waste during the production process, says Olivier Fontan, the new CEO at blade manufacturer LM Wind Power
In the circular economy, the Danish town of Kalundborg is the archetype example of industrial symbiosis
While helping workers and companies survive the current crisis, the European institutions should confirm and accelerate the EU’s path to carbon neutrality by 2050, including fixing emissions reduction targets in line with science, says Monica Frassoni, President of the European Alliance to Save Energy (EU-ASE)
The world’s building stock is forecast to double in size by 2050 to house a global population of 11 billion. If climate neutrality is also to be met by this date, the construction industry will have to significantly slash emissions from the materials it uses
Oslo, the capital of Norway, has big climate action ambitions. Among initiatives to achieve them it is instigating regulations to cut carbon emissions associated with buildings under construction and during their operational life spans