A U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) pilot project is in the works to measure the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of certain industrial products or materials, likely led by cement, steel, aluminum and glass. The move coincides with a greater emphasis on “clean” manufacturing and the need among companies, government officials, trading partners and consumers for a fair, coherent system to…
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Paving the Way: Carbon Sequestration in Concrete to Mitigate Environmental Impact
Concrete, the most extensively used manmade material worldwide, contributes an estimated 8 percent of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. With annual volume running 30 gigatonnes, concrete consumption is over 3.5 tonnes of per person. The majority of the GHG emissions (88.5 percent) emanate from production of portland cement, the essential ingredient in concrete. Carbon sequestration in concrete presents a promising avenue…
Read MoreAGC previews project GHG emissions assessment, tracking, reduction tool
Source: Associated General Contractors of America, Washington, D.C. Playbook on Decarbonization and Carbon Reporting in the Construction Industry, set for posting by May 1 at www.agc.org, is among Associated General Contractors of America efforts to make sure construction firms play a leading role in crafting carbon-reduction measures throughout project delivery. A four-step process guides contractors and partners to confirm and…
Read MoreASHRAE, ICC weigh feedback on building life cycle emissions draft
ASHRAE and the International Code Council invite comment to their jointly developed document, Proposed ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240P – Quantification of Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Buildings, through this month. The draft of the standard can be obtained and comments portal accessed at osr.ashrae.org. Standard 240P will provide a methodology to quantify the embodied and operational GHG emissions associated with…
Read MoreASHRAE, ICC open building life cycle emissions draft standard to comment
Sources: ASHRAE, Atlanta; CP staff ASHRAE and the International Code Council invite comment to their jointly development document, Proposed ASHRAE/ICC Standard 240P – Quantification of Life Cycle Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Buildings, through March 18. The draft of the standard can be obtained and comments portal accessed here. Standard 240P will provide a methodology to quantify the embodied and operational GHG…
Read MoreSteel Climate Standard contours Cement, Concrete Net Zero Roadmap
Sources: Global Steel Climate Council, Washington, D.C.; Nucor Corp., Charlotte, N.C.; CP staff A new Global Steel Climate Council standard offers a fair, effective, unbiased tool to measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with long products used for concrete reinforcement or tensioning, plus structural steel members or shapes. Along with a protocol behind embodied carbon calculations, the 48-page Steel Climate…
Read MoreCement, steel production emissions add up to EPA rounding errors
The Environmental Protection Agency’s new Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks cites 5.586 billion metric tons (mt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions for 2021, a 6 percent increase over the prior year. The Inventory spans six economic sectors; the third largest, Industry, accounted for 24 percent, or 1.34 billion mt of CO2e in 2021. U.S. GREENHOUSE GAS…
Read MoreASHRAE, ICC weigh response to GHG evaluation standard
Two of the principal organizations driving specifications and practices reflected in a building’s life cycle carbon metrics will review sentiments on their Proposed Standard 240P – Evaluating Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and Carbon Emissions in Building Design, Construction and Operation, posted at osr.ashrae.org. ASHRAE—synonymous with heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration standards—and the International Code Council present a methodology for quantifying…
Read MoreWhite House, agencies pen federal contractor greenhouse gas accounting rules
Sources: White House Council on Environmental Quality, Office of Federal Chief Sustainability Officer; CP staff The White House-proposed “Federal Supplier Climate Risks and Resilience Rule” outlines greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosure requirements applicable to contractors involved in construction or delivery of other services for federal projects, facilities and agencies. “Major” contractors, or those booking more than $50 million annually in…
Read MoreLiebherr LCA study: Technology neutrality best emissions reduction course
In order to achieve the international objectives surrounding projected global warming trends through 2100, climate change observers contend, economies worldwide must reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly in all sectors. Recognizing how emissions discipline applies to the construction industry, Germany’s Liebherr Group is working on new, efficient drive concepts for its concrete delivery and earthmoving equipment. The manufacturer enlisted…
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