Building Carbon Footprint
Introduction
Concept and relevance of the carbon footprint in buildings
The carbon footprint of buildings refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases (GHG), expressed in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), that are emitted directly or indirectly during the life cycle of a building. This includes everything from the extraction and manufacturing of materials, the construction, operation, maintenance and finally the demolition or recycling of the property. This indicator is essential to evaluate the environmental impact of buildings in the context of climate change.
Buildings represent one of the main sources of GHG emissions worldwide due to the energy consumption associated with their use and the production of construction materials. Therefore, quantifying and managing the carbon footprint of a building is essential to promote sustainability in the construction sector and meet global emissions reduction objectives.
Fundamentals and Methodologies of Calculation
Scope and limits of calculating the carbon footprint in buildings
To calculate a building's carbon footprint, it is vital to define the scope and limits of the analysis. Generally, three scopes are considered: scope 1, which includes direct emissions from sources controlled by the building, such as heating systems or own vehicles; scope 2, which corresponds to indirect emissions derived from the consumption of electrical energy; and scope 3, which covers other indirect emissions related to the supply chain, transportation, waste management and processes outside the direct control of the building.
The clear definition of these limits determines the completeness and precision of the calculation. In buildings, the inclusion of the complete life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials to demolition, is increasingly common to obtain a comprehensive analysis of the carbon footprint.