Carbon Neutral Materials and Techniques in Architecture

Abstract

Cities like New York, characterized by numerous industrialized skyscrapers and extensive urban construction, may not be ecologically sustainable for our future. Given the current global trajectory, carbon emissions leading to global warming are on a persistent rise. Buildings and construction activities are responsible for a substantial 39% of the total global carbon emissions. Recent research from the World Green Building Council reveals that while technology advancements can help reduce operational carbon (carbon emissions during a building’s operation, such as heating and lighting), these gains can be offset by embodied carbon (carbon emissions occurring before a structure becomes operational, like during material transport and extraction), significantly contributing to a building’s overall carbon footprint. If current construction practices remain unchanged, we risk witnessing an exponential increase in carbon and other greenhouse gas emissions, which could ultimately lead to severe environmental consequences. What the world truly needs is eco-friendly architecture rooted in age-old wisdom and sustainable principles. Sustainable architecture presents a novel approach to combat the pressing issue of climate change. Net-zero carbon buildings hold the key to solving the sustainability puzzle in architecture. According to Solarponics (2015), a net-zero building is one that consumes no more energy on an annual basis than it generates from renewable sources on-site, effectively balancing its energy usage. Also referred to as carbon-neutral buildings or net-zero carbon buildings, they significantly reduce or even completely offset the carbon dioxide emissions associated with a building. Such architectural practices are not only sustainable but also play a pivotal role in reducing architecture’s impact on the environment. The question posed by many renowned architects, such as Yasmin Lari, on various platforms is, “Can architects lead the way toward a just society by promoting social and environmental well-being to prevent the depletion of the planet’s resources?” Carbon-neutral buildings provide the answer. Architects of today and the future can design buildings that seamlessly integrate with the natural environment, minimizing their ecological footprint. This paper will specifically focus on embodied carbon and its reduction within the construction sector. While various methods contribute to an overall reduction in embodied carbon, this paper will center on how the choice of materials and construction techniques can lead to a significant decrease in a building’s total embodied carbon.