Analysis of embodied carbon and cost profiles of school buildings in Australia
Built Environment Project and Asset Management
ISSN: 2044-124X
Article publication date: 5 January 2021
Issue publication date: 21 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
In recent years, there has been an increased focus on creating sustainable buildings that have a reduced carbon footprint. The primary method to achieve this has been through reducing operational carbon of buildings. However, as the industry aims to produce “carbon neutral” buildings with extremely low operational carbon through measures such as insulation, embodied carbon (EC) component could get increased. As such, it is equally important to understand the state of EC emissions in buildings. The aim of this research was to analyse typical EC and cost profiles of school buildings within Australia to understand which building elements need more attention.
Design/methodology/approach
The research involved measuring EC of five classroom blocks in schools in Sydney through a case study research approach and document survey. Bills of quantities from these projects were analysed to estimate the EC and cost profiles of the buildings.
Findings
Results indicated that some elements such as roof, site works, upper floors and substructure had a higher cost also demonstrating an increased EC indicating a possibility of a relationship between carbon and cost. Accordingly, these elements were identified as the typical carbon hotspots within school buildings in Australia, which need greater attention in reducing EC.
Originality/value
The study explores the carbon–cost profile of Australian school buildings and highlights the importance of reducing EC in carbon hotspots.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper presents the research findings of a research project carried out at the Centre for Smart Modern Construction in the School of Built Environment, Western Sydney University.
Citation
Perera, S., Senaratne, S., Rodrigo, M.N.N. and Brady, L. (2021), "Analysis of embodied carbon and cost profiles of school buildings in Australia", Built Environment Project and Asset Management, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 660-672. https://doi.org/10.1108/BEPAM-02-2020-0031
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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