The crucial role of low carbon products in sustainable construction
The construction industry has had a significant impact on the environment and faces mounting pressure to move towards more sustainable building practices.
With global temperatures on the rise, the consequences of climate change are increasingly apparent. The built environment sector – which is currently responsible for 40% of the world’s carbon emissions – must innovate and adhere to more stringent regulations around sustainable building.
Companies that lead in sustainability are not only complying with these regulations but are positioning themselves as industry innovators, setting new standards for others to follow.
One way that companies are pushing towards sustainable practices is by understanding the impact of embodied carbon throughout the construction cycle and the crucial role that low carbon products must play.
What is embodied carbon and what impact does it have on the environment?
Embodied carbon refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, transportation, installation, maintenance and disposal of building materials. This lifecycle assessment of carbon emissions highlights the importance of choosing materials and technologies that minimise the environmental impact from cradle to grave.
Studies published by the United Nations indicate that 49% of the total carbon emissions from global new construction between 2020 and 2050 will be embodied carbon, particularly in energy-efficient buildings. This finding illustrates the significant impact of material choice and underscores the necessity for industry leaders to focus on reducing embodied carbon.
Low carbon solutions designed with the purpose of lowering CO2 emissions are also designed with performance and durability in mind. They should also meet the required standards and regulations of conventional materials, with the added benefit of lower CO2 emissions.
Unlike conventional materials, which can have high embodied carbon due to energy-intensive manufacturing processes, low carbon products are engineered to minimise greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle. By selecting low carbon materials and implementing innovative construction techniques, these leaders set a new model for eco-conscious building practices.
The evolution of sustainable construction
The construction industry has been on a journey towards environmentally friendly methods for over half a century. While most continued with traditional methods, early thinkers identified that these practices were having an adverse effect on the environment. Over time, this led to questioning how our buildings were being erected.
By the early 21st century, the prioritisation of reducing carbon emissions became vitally important. With that has come stricter codes and regulations to ensure all buildings are safe for the environment.
Benefits of sustainable construction
The move towards more sustainable building practices offers a wide array of benefits that go beyond environmental considerations. One of the most notable advantages is enhanced energy efficiency, as buildings designed with sustainability in mind typically require less heating, cooling and lighting energy. This reduction in energy consumption not only cuts operational costs but also significantly decreases the building’s overall carbon footprint.
According to a report by Evidence and Lessons from Latin America (ELLA), supported by the British government, green buildings can reduce energy use by up to 50%, water use by 40%, and overall carbon emissions by 39% compared to traditional buildings.
Additionally, sustainable buildings often integrate materials and systems that reduce embodied carbon and minimise harmful pollutants, resulting in healthier indoor environments. Improved air quality has been shown to correlate with better health outcomes and increased productivity, making sustainable buildings a more appealing option for potential tenants and buyers.
Beyond their immediate environmental benefits, sustainable construction delivers substantial long-term cost savings. While the initial investment in sustainable materials and technologies may be higher, the lifecycle operational savings are substantial. Lower energy bills and reduced maintenance costs for environmentally conscious buildings contribute to a favourable return on investment over time.
The regulatory landscape for sustainable construction is evolving rapidly, with stringent measures implemented worldwide to combat climate change and reduce carbon footprints. Embracing low carbon products not only ensures compliance with regulatory requirements, but it also futureproofs construction companies for future mandates.
What is low carbon construction?
Low carbon construction is a method of building that minimises the carbon footprint of the entire lifecycle of the building. This includes construction, occupation and demolition.
All energy sources produce CO₂ and the emissions are released into our atmosphere, which is where the heat is trapped, resulting in increases in global temperature.
Identifying and understanding the sources of carbon emissions in construction is the first step toward implementing sustainable practices. The construction industry can reduce its carbon footprint through collective efforts.
Legislation set by the UK Low Carbon Standard means for anything to be considered low in carbon, it must produce 20g of CO2e/MJLHV hydrogen emissions or less. For something to be zero-carbon, it must produce no emissions.
The importance of low carbon products in sustainable construction
Low carbon products boast an eco-friendly profile often without compromising on performance, strength, durability or functionality. This versatility makes them ideal for a wide range of construction applications.
By opting for materials with lower embodied carbon, such as recycled or locally sourced options, sustainable buildings enhance environmental preservation and climate resilience. They also produce less pollution than their traditional counterparts and are vital in the transition to a low carbon world. Despite this, some construction professionals still express concerns about their adoption.
One common challenge is the market’s perceived limited availability of these innovative materials. To address this, industry leaders are increasingly collaborating with suppliers and manufacturers to expand production capacities and ensure broader accessibility.
Despite the challenges, many studies and real-world applications consistently show that low carbon products meet or even surpass the performance standards of traditional materials, due to advanced technologies and rigorous testing protocols. It is through these efforts that confidence is growing around the durability and effectiveness of low carbon products.
What low carbon products are available from British Gypsum?
With the significant benefits of low carbon products on the built environment, there is a clear need for industry leaders to drive their adoption. At British Gypsum, innovation is the cornerstone of the transformation to sustainable building, exemplified by cutting-edge products such as Gypframe® Carbon Low metal profiles.
With 58%* less embodied carbon over their lifecycle, Gypframe carbon low metal profiles provide a significant advancement in sustainable construction materials. By adding low carbon metal profiles to your project, you can make meaningful strides towards sustainability, setting a benchmark for the industry.
Gypframe® Carbon Low metal profiles offer the industry one solution in the move towards sustainable construction. By prioritising similar solutions across the entire construction life cycle, industry leaders can take the necessary steps to deliver everlasting benefits to the environment, economy and society.
Low carbon products are just one part of the fast-changing transformation towards sustainable construction. For this reason, we have created a place for you to keep in touch with everything that is happening: the Building Better Hub.
Building Better is our central platform designed to keep you up to speed on the latest developments in the industry – from podcasts and videos through to industry updates and more about the sustainability initiatives of Saint-Gobain Interior Solutions, British Gypsum and Isover.
For more information on our Gypframe® Carbon Low metal profiles, get in touch with us today.
*Note: GWP indicator calculated from cradle to grave (A1 to C4 stages) and verified by an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), which substantiates the environmental and emissions claims of this product.