The construction industry grapples with a critical
decision – to tear down and rebuild, or breathe new life into existing
structures? While demolition has traditionally dominated, particularly in
fast-growing regions hungry for new infrastructure, a powerful force is pushing
for a shift – embodied carbon.
Embodied carbon refers to the carbon emissions
associated with a building’s entire life cycle, from material extraction and
processing to construction and eventual demolition. Alarmingly, embodied carbon
often surpasses a structure’s operational emissions (energy used during its
lifespan). This stark reality highlights the environmental cost of demolition
and rebuilds, prompting architects, developers, and policymakers to embrace
renovation as a strategy to extend the lifespan of existing buildings and significantly
reduce the construction industry’s overall carbon footprint. Check out the full
blog