InEnergy was commissioned to determine and report on the embodied energy and CO2 emissions of concreting materials and various forms of concrete.
The InEnergy study was carried out on a cradle to gate basis and had two goals: to quantify emissions of concreting materials and to manage these emissions. The Report took into account Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, which included transport of materials. Average emission numbers expressed in kg CO2/ ton of material produced are available in the report. A model was then designed enabling the designer to input specific materials and calculate the Carbon footprint of a given mix, thereby making it possible to find the optimum mix to minimise the environmental impact of the concrete in a proposed project or structure.
Being able to calculate the CO2 emissions for materials and concrete does however not tell the full story.
Sustainability is not only about embodied energy and CO2 emissions. Rather, a balance needs to be achieved between economic, social and environmental factors. This concept is often referred to as the Triple Bottom Line.
The CO2 emission values contained in the inenergy report and concrete model are for information only and they are average values are intended for use in determining the CO2 emission values for various concretes. These values to should not be used for any other purpose and are not intended for use in carbon trading or carbon credits.
Click here to access the InEnergy Report.