In a recent statement, a leading expert from UNSW emphasised the urgent need for measures to mitigate the environmental impact of construction in Australia.
Dr Ali Kashani, a specialist in sustainable construction, highlighted the significant role the construction industry plays in Australia’s total emissions output.
“The construction industry is one of the biggest contributors to Australia’s total emissions but at the same time, it has great potential for decarbonisation through innovation and collaboration among different stakeholders,” he said.
He continued, “However, embodied carbon is sometimes overlooked in design and construction. We often focus on renewable energy such as solar panels for emissions reduction from the operations side such as heating or cooling buildings.”
Dr Kashani stressed the importance of addressing the issue of embodied carbon in construction, referring to the carbon dioxide emissions released during the manufacturing and transportation of construction materials.
He pointed out that while efforts to incorporate renewable energy sources like solar panels in building operations are commendable, they are insufficient without also considering the carbon emissions associated with material production and transportation.
Concrete, steel, and aluminium were identified as major contributors to Australia’s building emissions, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of the total.
Dr Kashani underscored the need for innovative solutions to reduce carbon emissions in the production of these materials.
One key recommendation put forward by Dr Kashani is the utilisation of recycled materials as low-carbon alternatives in construction.
He highlighted the potential of recycling steel and exploring renewable energy sources like hydrogen to mitigate carbon emissions in material production.
“Steel that was manufactured as a building material but comes to its end-of-life can be recycled to make new steel through electric-arc furnaces which can also be powered by renewable energy,” he said.
Additionally, Dr Kashani advocated for the adoption of alternative construction materials such as bamboo or engineered timber, which have lower carbon footprints compared to traditional materials like concrete and steel.
The expert also discussed the potential of carbon capture and utilisation technologies to reduce embodied carbon emissions in construction.
He emphasised the importance of viewing carbon not as waste, but as a resource that can be repurposed within a circular economy framework.
Dr Kashani concluded by stressing the urgency of action, asserting that while transitioning to renewable energy and alternative materials may pose challenges, the status quo of unchecked carbon emissions is not a viable option.
“We need to stop thinking about carbon as waste and start looking at it as a by-product that can be re-plugged back into the circular economy.”
He underscored the multi-faceted approach needed to achieve carbon reduction targets and urged stakeholders to prioritise sustainability in construction practices.
