Achieving zero carbon emissions in the construction sector: The role of timber in decarbonising building structures.

Working paper

Reyes, N., Rodriguez, B., Wiegand, E., Ramage, M.H., Bukauskas, A., Debnath, R., Shah, D.U., Colman, T., De Wolf, C., Koronaki, A., Gatóo, A., Gin, Y., Ossio, F. and Ahumada, M. (2021). Achieving zero carbon emissions in the construction sector: The role of timber in decarbonising building structures. Cambridge University Press (CUP). https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2021-hgd6q-v2
AuthorsReyes, N., Rodriguez, B., Wiegand, E., Ramage, M.H., Bukauskas, A., Debnath, R., Shah, D.U., Colman, T., De Wolf, C., Koronaki, A., Gatóo, A., Gin, Y., Ossio, F. and Ahumada, M.
TypeWorking paper
Abstract

This research aims to evaluate a realistic timber adoption scenario as a way of reducing carbon emissions of construction in Chile and the UK for the period 2020-2050. The study finds that a gradual increase of timber construction could complement the emission reduction targets set by traditional materials, providing the needed carbon storage. This analysis shows the urgency to define the criteria that will allow to account for carbon storage in timber construction as a natural contribution to the Paris agreement. Finally, it is worth highlighting that the construction sector also faces several economic and social problems that need to be addressed urgently. Timber adoption would reduce emissions and at the same time improve health, security, gender gap, precision, speed and working conditions in construction.

KeywordsTimber construction; Carbon emissions; Built environment; Public policy; Housing
Year2021
PublisherCambridge University Press (CUP)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2021-hgd6q-v2
Web address (URL)https://www.cambridge.org/engage/coe/article-details/618bc5d964238014a6cdd8f5
File
License
All rights reserved
Publication dates
Print17 Nov 2021
Publication process dates
Deposited18 Jul 2024
Additional information

This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed by Cambridge University Press at the time of posting.

Permalink -

https://openresearch.lsbu.ac.uk/item/97336

Restricted files

File

  • 22
    total views
  • 7
    total downloads
  • 5
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

An assembly-oriented novel low-carbon masonry building method with unfired 3D printed earthen blocks
Gin, Y., Shah, D. and Ramage, M. (2023). An assembly-oriented novel low-carbon masonry building method with unfired 3D printed earthen blocks. IASS Annual Symposium 2023 - Integration of Design and Fabrication. Melborne, Australia 10 - 14 Jul 2024 International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Unfolding Timber - A future of design
Gatóo, A., Koronaki, A., Chaudary, A., Gin, Y., Shah, D.U., Wiegand, E., Hesselgren, L., Ainoura, M., Bakker, R. and Ramage, M.H. (2022). Unfolding Timber - A future of design. Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe. Ghent, Belgium 13 - 16 Sep 2022 Education and research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe).
Robotic 3D printing with earth: A case study for optimisation of 3D printing building blocks
Gin, Y., Haddad, K., Jabi, W., Shah, D. and Ramage, M. (2022). Robotic 3D printing with earth: A case study for optimisation of 3D printing building blocks. IASS/APCS 2022 Beijing Symposium: Advanced Manufacturing and Materials/ 3D-Printing and Molding. Beijing Friendship Hotel, Beijing, China. 19 - 22 Sep 2022 International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Climate repair through built environment: Decarbonising UK’s building sector through energy efficiency and natural materials
Debnath, R., Bardhan, R., Shah, D.U., Koronaki, A., Bukauskas, A., Colman, T., Gatóo, A., Wiegand, E., Gin, Y. and Ramage, M.H. (2021). Climate repair through built environment: Decarbonising UK’s building sector through energy efficiency and natural materials. Cambridge University Press (CUP). https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2021-30w2x
Environmental Audit Committee Call for Evidence: "Sustainability of the Built Environment"
Ramage, M.H., Shah, D.U., Bukauskas, A., Koronaki, A., Colman, T., Gatóo, A., Wiegand, E., Gin, Y. and Debnath, R. (2021). Environmental Audit Committee Call for Evidence: "Sustainability of the Built Environment". Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.33774/coe-2021-bjtwz
Flexible and sustainable building components through kerf patterns
Gatóo, A., Koronaki, A., Al Asali, M.W., Bukauskas, A., Gin, Y., Shah, D.U., Wiegand, E. and Ramage, M.H. (2020). Flexible and sustainable building components through kerf patterns. IASS 2020/21 Surrey Symposium: Bio-based concepts inspiring the spatial structures and architecture of the next generation. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).
Robotic 3D printing with earthen materials as a novel sustainable construction method
Gin, Y., Saner, B. B. and Ramage, M. (2020). Robotic 3D printing with earthen materials as a novel sustainable construction method. IASS 2020/21 Surrey Symposium: Advanced manufacturing techniques. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS).