As cities grow in population and importance, urban construction will continue to gather pace. It is estimated that global floor area is expected to double by 2060, the equivalent of adding New York City every month for the next 40 years. This white paper highlights case studies and nine innovative solutions that provide models for cities seeking to meet sustainable development goals.
Addressing the amount of carbon released due to new construction and infrastructure development, as well as the decommissioning of obsolete buildings, is critical to decarbonizing the built environment. Collectively referred to as “embodied carbon emissions”, this is the next frontier in mitigating climate change.
The paper identifies common challenges cities face in the effort to reduce embodied carbon emissions and outlines best practices that have been developed and tested by pioneer cities, and which are are adaptable, scalable and designed to accelerate innovation across the construction industry.
The report, Reducing Embodied Carbon in Cities: Nine Solutions for Greener Buildings and Communities, highlights nine innovative solutions for all phases of construction and demolition.
“In recent years, a growing number of cities have taken decisive action to help bolster the operational efficiency of buildings,” said Jeff Merritt, Head of Urban Transformation at the World Economic Forum. “Despite these gains, a more robust approach is needed to tackle carbon emissions across the entire life cycle of these structures. From rethinking traditional construction methods and materials to breathing new life into otherwise obsolete buildings, new solutions are rapidly emerging to tackle this challenging issue, collectively referred to as embodied carbon.”
The report showcases innovative solutions serving as models for cities striving to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Noteworthy case studies include:
- The transformation of the One Westside Office Campus in Los Angeles from a struggling mall into a cutting-edge UCLA science campus, demonstrating the potential of adaptive reuse. This initiative diverted over 75% of construction and demolition waste from landfills, resulting in a 33% reduction in embodied carbon compared to starting from scratch.
- San Diego’s utility-led program assisting fleet owners in transitioning to electric vehicles (EVs), targeting 3,000 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, notably used in construction, across 300 customer sites.
- London’s Material Reuse Portal facilitating sustainable material reuse practices in the construction industry, fostering carbon emissions reduction through increased adaptive reuse.
Additionally, the report highlights cities implementing various strategies—from mandates and incentives to benchmarking tools—to diminish embodied carbon emissions in construction:
- Vancouver’s enforcement of an embodied carbon limit on new construction and the creation of a benchmarking tool for emission measurement.
- Seattle’s provision of expedited permits for projects meeting embodied carbon standards, benefiting eco-conscious construction firms while emphasizing the city’s environmental commitment.
- New York City’s Clean Construction Executive Order mandating capital project agencies to decrease embodied carbon in municipal construction projects.
“Cities are at the forefront of efforts to reduce carbon emissions in both new development and redevelopment within the built environment,” said Jennifer Holmes, Accenture’s lead for cities, transportation and infrastructure. “This initiative is focused on the increasing importance of cities establishing clear targets, incentives and pathways for emission reduction, in collaboration with the private and non-profit sectors.”
The report, created in partnership with Accenture, showcases pioneer cities like these, emerging from a City Sprint held in collaboration with the City of Los Angeles. This intensive three-day workshop involved over 50 multidisciplinary stakeholders dedicated to reshaping the construction industry for the modern era. The City Sprint aligns with Los Angeles’ participation in the C40 Cities Clean Construction Accelerator, aiming to halve embodied emissions in all new constructions, significant retrofits, and infrastructure by 2030.
“Cities drive the demand for the development, maintenance and renovation of the places we rely on daily – our homes, schools, hospitals, streets and other vital infrastructures,” said Cécile Faraud, Head of Clean Construction, C40 Cities. “We have the momentum to ensure the built environment is decarbonised, climate resilient and equitable: 10 leading cities participated in the C40 Clean Construction programme in 2019; now, we are working with 45+ cities across all continents. The breadth and variety of city action can inspire the sector’s confidence to invest in just solutions. The policy model and adoption playbook are great tools for accelerating the global update of embodied carbon policies.“
Effective implementation of the solutions outlined in the report relies on strong collaboration between the public and private sectors across the construction industry and beyond. The Centre for Urban Transformation, in collaboration with the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance, Infosys, and C40 Cities, has developed a comprehensive Whole Life Cycle Assessment Model Policy. This policy is supported by additional resources, including an implementation Playbook for cities and a Practitioner’s Guide for the private sector. These resources aim to align policy objectives with advancements in building practices.
Published April 24, 2024
