Dr. Philip Olfield (FBE)
Sustainable Materials and the Growing Importance of Embodied Carbon
84% of all building materials are ceramics (dominated by concrete), which compares with polymers (plastics) at only 1%. The use and manufacture of cement results in 5% of all anthropogenic carbon emissions.
Generally, 60% of energy is operating energy and 40% is embodies energy.
Stricter building regulations have reduced energy use, but generally increased building materials (e.g. insulation, PV cells etc.)
How can we reduce embodied energy?
- reduce
- recycle
- reuse
Make buildings durable and beautiful so they last 200 years
Further Resouces
- BRE Green Guide to Specification
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