Management of Carbon Footprint and Determination of GHG Emission Sources in Construction Sector

Year 2020, Volume: 7 Issue: 2, 191 - 204, 15.08.2020

Sena Ahmetoğlu Ayşegül Tanık

https://doi.org/10.30897/ijegeo.726913

Cited By: 2

Abstract

Carbon footprint involves the calculation of direct and/or indirect emissions of fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gases (GHG) that lead to greenhouse effect responsible of global warming. The resulting carbon dioxide (CO2) due to the activities of the individuals/institutions emerges into the atmosphere with the consumption of energy. The amount of emissions throughout the world in general and in Turkey, and the main reasons of these emissions is explained in this study. Carbon footprint management and tracking since 1990’s in Turkey are underlined, and carbon tax and carbon trade terminologies are introduced. Scope classification for determining emissions according to three classification of ISO 14064 Greenhouse Gas Calculation and Validation Management System is described. Scope-1 covers the activities that create direct carbon footprint. In this context, the fossil fuels used by the projects for heating or energy needs and the emissions from the fuels of the vehicles are taken into consideration. Within Scope-2, the carbon footprints of the emissions caused by the electrical energy consumed by the projects are considered. Scope-3 is an indirect carbon footprint and includes emissions from projects that are not directly emission-driven projects. With this study, it is aimed to address the carbon footprint caused by the entire construction sector that extends from the production of construction materials to the construction and post-construction (operation) stages. This sector is focused on due to its significance regarding GHG emissions globally. Emissions from non-owned or uncontrolled sources such as production, transportation, leased assets, outsourced services and disposal of the wastes generated during the construction or operation of the stages of different building typologies are included in the carbon footprint calculations.

Keywords

Carbon Footprint, Construction Sector, Climate Change, GHG Emissions, Turkey

References

• Abergel, T., Dean, B., Dulac, J. (2017). Towards a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector: Global Status Report 2017. UN Environment and International Energy Agency. Paris, France.
• Acquaye, A. A., Duffy, A. P. (2010). Input–output analysis of Irish construction sector greenhouse gas emissions. Building and Environment, 45(3), 784-791.
• Akan, M. O. A., Dhavale, D. G., Sarkis, J. (2017). Greenhouse gas emissions in the construction industry: An analysis and evaluation of a concrete supply chain. Journal of Cleaner Production, 167, 1195-1207.
• Alıcı, B., Yıldız, H. (2012). Carbon tax ant its efficient use in the protection of the environment that is a global public good. Journal of Law and Economics Research, 4(1), 55-61. (In Turkish)
• Aye, L., Ngo, T., Crawford, R. H., Gammampila, R., Mendis, P. (2012). Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions and energy analysis of prefabricated reusable building modules. Energy and Buildings, 47, 159-168.
• Bayırhan, İ., Mersin, K., Tokuşlu, A., Gazioğlu, C. (2019). Modelling of Ship Originated Exhaust Gas Emissions in the Strait of Istanbul (Bosphorus). International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 6(3), 238-243. DOI: 10.30897/ijegeo.641397.
• Biyik, Y., Özkale, L. (2017). Relationship between the iron and steel industry production methods and export, added value and carbon emission reduction policies. International Journal of Management Economics and Business, 13(5), 718-735. (In Turkish)
• Candemir, B., Beyhan, B., Karaata, S. (2012). Sustainability in Construction: Green Building and Nanotechnology Strategies. TUSIAD Publications No: TUSIAD-T-2012-10-/533. İstanbul: Sis Printing Press, 134 p. (In Turkish)
• Chastas, P., Theodosiou, T., Bikas, D. (2016). Embodied energy in residential buildings-towards the nearly zero energy building: A literature re-view. Building and Environment, 105, 267-282.
• Cho, S. H., Chae, C. U. (2016). A study on life cycle CO2 emissions of low-carbon building in South Korea. Sustainability, 8(6), 579.
• Das, S. K., Green, J. A. (2010). Aluminum industry and climate change—assessment and responses. The Journal of the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society JOM, 62(2), 27-31.
• De Castro, S., De Brito, J. (2013). Evaluation of the durability of concrete made with crushed glass aggregates. Journal of Cleaner Production, 41, 7-14.
• Duman, H., Özpeynirci, R., Yücenurşen, M., Bağcı, H. (2012). Carbon accounting. Journal of Social Economic Research, 12 (24), 105-120. (In Turkish).
• Edenhofer, O., Pichs-Madruga, R., Sokona, Y., Minx, J. C. (2014). Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, 16 p.
• Elitaş, C., Çetin, C. A. (2011). Carbon Trade and Carbon Banking. Accounting and Auditing Overview, 51-78. (In Turkish)
• EMIS. (2014). Construction Sector in Turkey. https://www.emis.com/sites/default/files/EMIS%20Insight%20-%20Turkey%20Construction%20Sector%20Report.pdf. Last accessed on 12.04.2020
• EPA. (2009). Potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the construction sector. Sector strategies, EPA, Washington, DC, USA, 45 p.
• Fırat, S. Ü., Yurtsever, Ö., İleri, Ç., Kıvılcım, İ. (2017). Towards a Sustainable World: Global Agenda and Turkey. Economic Development Foundation, Publication No: 294, İstanbul, 111 p. (In Turkish)
• Gautam, M., Pandey, B., Agrawal, M. (2018). Carbon footprint of aluminum production: emissions and mitigation. In Chapter 8 Environmental Carbon Footprints- Industrial Case Studies, 197-228, Butterworth-Heinemann, 474 p.
• Gazioğlu, C. (2018). Biodiversity, Coastal Protection, Promotion and Applicability Investigation of the Ocean Health Index for Turkish Seas. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 5(3), 353-367. DOI: 10.30897/ijegeo.484067.
• Green Construction Board, (2015). Low Carbon Route map for the Built Environment: 2015 Route map Progress- Technical Report.
• Gustavsson, L., Pingoud, K., Sathre, R. (2006). Carbondioxide balance of wood substitution: comparing concrete-and wood-framed buildings. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 11(3), 667-691.
• Ingrao, C., Giudice, A. L., Tricase, C., Mbohwa, C., Rana, R. (2014). The use of basalt aggregates in the production of concrete for the prefabrication industry: Environmental impact assessment, interpretation and improvement. Journal of Cleaner Production, 75, 195-204.
• IPCC (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. IPCC, Geneva, Switzerland, 151 p.
• Jin, P., Jiang, Z., Bao, C., Hao, S., Zhang, X. (2017). The energy consumption and carbon emission of the integrated steel mill with oxygen blast furnace. Resources. Conservation and Recycling, 117, 58-65.
• Kajaste, R., Hurme, M. (2016). Cement industry greenhouse gas emissions–management options and abatement cost. Journal of Cleaner Production, 112, 4041-4052.
• Kulu, M. B. (2001). Environmental Taxes and Applications in Developed Countries. Tax World, 234, 50. (In Turkish)
• Medina, C., de Rojas, M.I.S., Frías, M., (2013). Freeze-thaw durability of recycled concrete containing ceramic aggregate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 40, 151-160.
• Özsoy, C.E. (2015). Low carbon economy and Turkey's carbon footprint. Hak İş International Journal of Labor and Society, 4(9). (In Turkish)
• Savcı, S., Dikmen, C.B. (2015). Reassessment Of Glass Materials As Resources of Recyclıng In Constructıon Sector, ISBS, 2nd International Sustainable Buildings Symposium, Proceedings Ankara, 28-30 May 2015, 694-697.
• Schuler, F., Voigt, N., Schmidt, T., Woertler, M., Dahlmann, P., Ghenda, J. T., and Luengen, H. B. (2013). Steel's Contribution to a Low-Carbon Europe 2050. Stahl und Eisen, 133(9), 61-63.
• Sunturlu, Ö. (2017). Determination of the carbon footprint of boats operating in tourism sector: Case study of Muğla (MSc thesis).Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Muğla, Turkey. (In Turkish)
• Talapatra, A. (2019). Thermodynamic and Kinetic Desorption Analysis on Direct Air Capture of CO2 Gas Using Moisture Swing Sorbent. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 6(2), 186-191 . DOI: 10.30897/ijegeo.526921
• Toröz, A.S. (2015). Determination of the carbon footprint in a waste acceptance facility receiving ship-wastes (PhD thesis). Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Istanbul, Turkey. (In Turkish)
• Treloar, G.J., Crawford, R.H. (2010). Database of embodied energy and water values for materials. Melbourne: The University of Melbourne, Melbourne.
• Tunahan, H. (2010). Carbon financing as a way to reduce global climate change. Accounting and Finance Journal, 46,199-215 (In Turkish)
• UN General Assembly. (2011). Preparatory Committees for the International Conference on Financing for Development, Technical Note No: 3 Existing Proposals for Innovative Source of Finance 20, New York, United Nations.
• Url-1: http://www.globalcarbonatlas.org/en/CO2-emissions, 12.04.2020.
• Url-2: http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreIstatistikTablo.do;j sessionid=TPJ2W0hYyr6wDcHdg6NySGWyQJKz1lqrkxYTx2Jvn7g1gcWXc0WH!898620440?istab_id=9022, 12.04.2020.
• Url-3. http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri.do?id= 27675, 10.04.2020.
• Url-4: http://cygm.csb.gov.tr/sera-gazi-emisyonlarinin- takibi-hakkinda-sge-yonetmelikte-degisiklik-yapildi.-duyuru-15792, 12.04.2020.
• Url-5: http://www.karem.org.tr/images/galeri/4.pdf, 12.04.2020.
• Url-6. https://assets.kpmg/content/dam/kpmg/tr/pdf/2018 sektorel-bakis-2018-insaat.pdf, 12.04.2020.
• Url-7: https://www.eigm.gov.tr/tr-TR/Denge-Tablolari/ Denge-Tablolari, 01.04.2020.
• Url-8: http://www.world-aluminium.org/statistics/#map, 01.04.2020.
• Url-9: https://www.statista.com/statistics/280983/share-of-aluminum-consumption-by-sector/, 12.04.2020.
• Url-10: https://www.statista.com/statistics/485475/greenhous-gas-emissions-from-the-aluminum-production-uk/ 01.04.2020.
• Usón, A.A., López-Sabirón, A.M., Ferreira, G., Sastresa, E.L. (2013). Uses of alternative fuels and raw materials in the cement industry as sustainable waste management options. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 23, 242-260.
• Ülker, D., Ergüven, O., Gazioğlu, C. (2018). Socio-economic impacts in a Changing Climate: Case Study Syria. International Journal of Environment and Geoinformatics, 5(1), 84-93. DOI: 10.30897/ijegeo.406273
• Vural, İ.Y. (2012). Carbon tax in combating climate change (In Turkish) http://www.canaktan.org/ekoloji-cevre/karbon/tanim.htm
• Wintergreen, J., Delaney, T. (2007). ISO 14064, International Standard for GHG Emissions Inventories and Verification. In Boonton, NJ: First Environment, Inc.
• WRI/WBCSD (2004). World Resources Institute/world Business Council for Sustainable Development, Greenhouse Gas Protocol. https://ghgprotocol.org/about-wri-wbcsd
• WWF- Turkey. (2012). Turkey's Ecological Footprint Report. 89 p. (In Turkish)
• Yang, K.H., Song, J.K., Song, K., (2013). Assessment of CO2 reduction of alkali-activated concrete. Journal of Cleaner Production, 39, 265-272. Yi, C. Y., Gwak, H. S., Lee, D. E. (2017). Stochastic carbon emission estimation method for construction operation. Journal of Civil Engineering and Management, 23(1), 137-149.