The interrelation between lowering embodied carbon and value engineering

Overview

Annual global emissions are projected to be 52-58Gt.CO2e by 2030, but they must be halved to limit warming to 1.5˚C. One of the main contributors to global emissions is the built-environment sector, with buildings currently responsible for 39% of carbon emissions. Therefore, decarbonising the building industry is one of the most effective and important actions on the climate change mitigation agenda.

Built assets, produce carbon emissions throughout their life cycles. Traditionally, attention has mainly been given to their operational carbon footprint. However, embodied carbon of the built assets contribute to around 11% of global carbon emissions and will be responsible for ≈50% of the entire carbon footprint of new construction between now and 2050.

This presentation includes a case study on how the value engineering and optimisation of various structural concrete elements of towers could contribute towards significant embodied carbon savings.

Dr Ali Amiri has a PhD in Civil Engineering and Sustainability from the University College London (UCL). He is the Head of Department for Specialisms at Ramboll Middle East and a member of the steering committee for Ramboll’s Sustainable Building Network. He has almost two decades experience in the field of construction, sustainability and management related to a variety of building, master planning and infrastructure projects, and worked with high profile clients within the MENA region and UK. He has published various articles on sustainability appraisal and carbon accounting of buildings and civil engineering projects. He is also on the Board of Directors of Emirates Green Building Council.