{"id":37825,"date":"2025-02-05T10:00:26","date_gmt":"2025-02-05T18:00:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/?p=37825"},"modified":"2025-08-14T10:54:02","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T17:54:02","slug":"rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-37840 alignleft\" src=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-600x72.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"72\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-600x72.png 600w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-300x36.png 300w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-768x92.png 768w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-1200x144.png 1200w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner-940x113.png 940w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/RisingHIghFallingShort_logo_banner.png 1250w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Key Metrics Summary<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Building<\/strong><b>: <\/b>A 20-story residential building constructed of a reinforced concrete frame with a curtain wall facade on a site with no existing buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Carbon Emissions for Construction<\/strong><b>: <\/b><em>approx. <strong>28,900 metric tonnes<\/strong><\/em> (above-ground building) or approx. <strong><em>31,600 metric tonnes<\/em><\/strong> (including underground parking)<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Carbon Emissions per Square Metre\/Square Foot<\/strong><b>: <\/b><em>approx. <strong>1,440 kg CO\u2082 per square meter<\/strong> (134.2 kg CO\u2082 per square foot<\/em> for an above-ground building) or <strong><em>1,435 kg CO\u2082 per square meter&nbsp; <\/em><\/strong><em>(133.54 kg CO\u2082 per square foot)<\/em> including underground parking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong><span class=\"s1\">Everyday Equivalents and Comparisons <\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">(20-story building <em>without<\/em> underground parking)<\/span><strong><span class=\"s1\">: <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">Annual emissions of about<strong> <em>6,300 cars<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">The annual energy use of over <em><strong>5,400 average Canadian Households<\/strong>.<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong><em>1.3 million trees<\/em><\/strong> sequestering CO\u2082 for a year<\/span><\/li>\n<li><em>6-storey residential mid-rise (no parking) carbon emissions per area<\/em>: <strong>85 kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b2 <\/strong>(7.9 kg CO\u2082\/ft\u00b2).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Social Costs of Carbon Emissions(CAD)<\/strong>: about <strong><em>$2.3 million<\/em><\/strong>, rising to <strong><em>$2.5 million <\/em><\/strong>with an underground parking garage.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Context<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">As Vancouver moves forward with the <a href=\"https:\/\/vancouver.ca\/home-property-development\/broadway-plan.aspx\"><i>Broadway Plan<\/i><\/a> and municipalities across British Columbia implement the province\u2019s new <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/housing-tenancy\/local-governments-and-housing\/housing-initiatives\/transit-oriented-development-areas\"><i>Transit-Oriented Development<\/i><\/a> regulations, the region\u2019s skyline is poised for dramatic change. High-rise towers\u2014touted as solutions to housing shortages, urban density, and transit accessibility\u2014are rising across Metro Vancouver, marketed as symbols of progress in an increasingly urbanized world. Yet beneath their sleek facades lies an overlooked reality: the immense environmental cost embedded in their materials and the long-term energy required to sustain them.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">While skyscrapers are often framed as efficient urban solutions, their construction and operation take a substantial toll on the planet. The core materials used in high-rise buildings\u2014cement, steel, glass, and plastics\u2014are among the most carbon-intensive substances ever produced. A <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/297847\/\">2018 global inventory<\/a> led by geophysicist Yinon M. Bar-On revealed a stark milestone: in just over a century, the total mass of human-made materials\u2014concrete, steel, plastics, and infrastructure\u2014has exceeded Earth\u2019s 1.1 trillion tons of living biomass, which took four billion years to evolve.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Physicist Brice M\u00e9nard and computer scientist Nikita Shtarkman further <a href=\"https:\/\/biocubes.net\/\">visualized<\/a> this imbalance, illustrating through proportionally sized cubes how human activity has fundamentally altered the planet\u2019s material composition. Their findings highlight the urgent need to rethink how cities are built.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_37856\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-37856\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><a href=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-37856\" src=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px-600x400.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px-940x627.png 940w, https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/BioCubes_Poster_Final_1_1000px.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-37856\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Visualization by Physicist Brice M\u00e9nard and computer scientist Nikita Shtarkman showing the total mass of human-made materials versus living biomass.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Well-respected researcher and writer Vaclav Smil has categorized cement, steel, plastics, and ammonia as the &#8220;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/World-Really-Works-Smil-Vaclav\/dp\/0241454409\">Four Pillars of Modern Civilization<\/a>&#8220;\u2014essential materials that also carry significant environmental costs. Among them, cement is particularly damaging. Often considered the backbone of modern construction, it is responsible for nearly 8% of global CO<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> emissions. Concrete\u2014the second most consumed material on Earth after water\u2014releases carbon dioxide both through the high-temperature heating of limestone and as a byproduct of its chemical reactions. High-rises, with their reinforced foundations and towering structures, consume enormous amounts of this material, amplifying their climate impact.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Some researchers advocate for carbon-neutral concrete as a long-term solution, but its widespread adoption remains a distant goal. Technologies like carbon capture and storage (CCS) are costly and difficult to scale. Building codes and industry standards, still reliant on conventional materials, further delay the transition to low-carbon alternatives. Additionally, supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash and slag\u2014often used to reduce cement\u2019s carbon footprint\u2014are byproducts of declining industries like coal, raising concerns about their long-term availability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Perhaps the greatest challenge lies in the scale of transformation required. Thousands of cement and concrete plants worldwide would need to be overhauled to implement low-carbon production methods, requiring massive investment, infrastructure shifts, and international coordination. While the potential for carbon-neutral concrete is promising, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0301479724010387\">its implementation remains uncertain<\/a>\u2014reinforcing the need to use existing materials more sparingly and explore alternative approaches.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Beyond cement, steel\u2014another cornerstone of high-rise construction\u2014accounts for 7% of global emissions. Its production remains heavily dependent on coal-fired blast furnaces, a process that has changed little over time. Regional disparities also play a role: as of 2011, Canadian steel production <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.ca\/How-Bad-Are-Bananas-everything\/dp\/1788163818\">emitted 200% more carbon than U.S. steel<\/a>, illustrating the environmental cost variations across supply chains.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Plastics, though less visible, are integral to high-rise construction, used in insulation, window seals, and other structural components. Their reliance on fossil fuels and low recyclability further add to their environmental footprint.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Then there is glass\u2014the material that defines modern skyscrapers. While valued for its aesthetic appeal and ability to bring natural light into buildings, glass production is highly energy-intensive, requiring extreme heat to melt silica sand. Even once installed, glass-heavy buildings contribute to long-term energy inefficiency. Despite advancements in coatings and glazing, large glass facades absorb heat in the summer and lose it rapidly in the winter, forcing HVAC systems to work harder to regulate indoor temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">The environmental impact of high-rises extends beyond construction. Their day-to-day operation demands massive energy inputs for heating, cooling, lighting, and transportation within the structure. Elevators run continuously, lobbies and corridors require constant lighting, and HVAC systems work overtime to manage temperatures across sprawling vertical spaces.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">By contrast, mid-rise buildings\u2014typically between four and eight stories\u2014consume significantly less energy. Their smaller scale allows for natural ventilation, passive heating, and more efficient mechanical systems. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s42949-021-00034-w?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=3_nsn6445_deeplink_PID100041175&amp;utm_content=deeplink\">2021 study<\/a> found that neighborhoods dominated by skyscrapers produce 140% more carbon emissions than those composed of low- and mid-rise buildings, underscoring the environmental advantages of alternative urban forms. The findings made <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nationalobserver.com\/2021\/11\/17\/news\/hidden-carbon-footprint-highrises\">national headlines<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>So What?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To understand the carbon footprint of a single high-rise, consider a standard 20-story building constructed under British Columbia\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/housing-tenancy\/local-governments-and-housing\/housing-initiatives\/transit-oriented-development-areas\"><i>Transit-Oriented Development<\/i><\/a>&nbsp;regulations. Assuming a conventional reinforced concrete structure with Vancouver\u2019s characteristic curtain wall design\u2014and an empty site with no demolition required\u2014the estimated emissions are staggering.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A 20-story building without an underground parking garage is expected to produce approximately <strong>28,900 metric tonnes of CO<\/strong><\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">, equivalent to the annual emissions of about <em>6,300 cars<\/em> or the energy use of <em>5,400 average Canadian households<\/em>. To offset this amount, roughly <em>1.3 million trees<\/em> must absorb CO<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><span class=\"s1\"> for a year. Adding a modest underground parking garage raises emissions to <strong>31,600 metric tonnes<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Breaking this down further, an above-ground 20-story building generates roughly <strong>1,440 kg of CO<\/strong><\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\"><strong> per square meter<\/strong> (134 kg per square foot). Interestingly, an identical building with underground parking emits slightly less\u2014<strong>1,435 kg per square meter<\/strong> (133 kg per square foot)\u2014due to non-linear scaling effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">By comparison, a six-story residential mid-rise with half the floor area of the high-rise produces approximately <strong>85 kg CO<\/strong><\/span><strong><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\"><strong>\/m\u00b2<\/strong> (7.9 kg CO<\/span><span class=\"s2\">\u2082<\/span><span class=\"s1\">\/ft\u00b2). In other words, the 20-story tower emits over <em>16 times<\/em> the carbon of the mid-rise for twice the space.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In economic terms, the Social Cost of Carbon (SCC) for constructing a 20-story above-ground building is approximately <strong>$2.3 million<\/strong>, rising to <strong>$2.5 million<\/strong> if an underground parking garage is included. These figures do not account for operational emissions\u2014an issue to be explored in a forthcoming installment of <i>Rising High, Falling Short<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Food for Thought<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">These figures raise pressing questions, particularly as 2024 marks the first year that global average temperatures surpassed <a href=\"https:\/\/climate.copernicus.eu\/copernicus-2024-first-year-exceed-15degc-above-pre-industrial-level\">1.5\u00b0C above pre-industrial levels<\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s2\">How can British Columbia position itself as a climate leader while advancing a development model that locks in decades of excessive emissions?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s2\">How do these figures align with the province\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www2.gov.bc.ca\/gov\/content\/environment\/climate-change\/planning-and-action#targets\">climate targets<\/a>?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s2\">What will it take for policymakers to fully account for the environmental cost of high-rises\u2014not just during construction but throughout their operational lifespan?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s2\">Are cities prioritizing short-term growth at the expense of long-term sustainability?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\"><span class=\"s2\">Why are municipalities doubling down on high-rises when global urban planning research suggests mid-rise developments can achieve density with a far lower carbon footprint?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Examples from cities such as <a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2024\/09\/23\/the-barcelona-chronicles-introduction\/\">Barcelona<\/a>, Stockholm, and Amsterdam demonstrate that mid-rise buildings can offer a balanced approach\u2014combining density, livability, and sustainability while preserving local character. These forms are also more adaptable to emerging green technologies, including solar panels, green roofs, and future retrofits\u2014features that are often more challenging to integrate into high-rise structures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\">As a region that prides itself on environmental stewardship, Metro Vancouver must confront the ethical responsibility it holds in addressing the climate crisis. Urban planning is not neutral; the choices made today will shape decades of emissions, and resource consumption.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Metro Vancouver, a region that prides itself on environmental leadership, faces an ethical responsibility in shaping its urban future. City planning is not neutral; today\u2019s decisions will shape emissions and resource consumption for generations. <a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2022\/06\/27\/the-tower-default\/\">Defaulting to high-rise development<\/a> without fully accounting for its environmental consequences risks undermining the region\u2019s climate commitments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">To chart a more sustainable path, cities must prioritize low-carbon materials like mass timber, which sequesters carbon rather than emitting it, and promote adaptive reuse over demolition. The unchecked expansion of high-rises, much like the car-centric urban planning of the mid-20th century, may come to be seen as a costly mistake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Metro Vancouver stands at a crossroads. The question is not how high the skyline should rise\u2014but how deeply the region considers its future.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>***<\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><b style=\"color: var(--tw-prose-headings); font-family: proxima-nova, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Noto Sans', sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji'; font-size: 1.25em; background-color: rgb(255 255 255\/var(--tw-bg-opacity));\">Calculations and Assumptions<\/b><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>BUILDING (20-STOREY)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"s1\"><strong>BUILDING ASSUMPTION OVERVIEW:<\/strong><b> <\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">20-story residential building constructed of a reinforced concrete frame with curtain wall facade on a site <em>without<\/em> existing buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Footprint<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: The building has a rectangular footprint with dimensions of 25 meters by 40 meters.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 25 m \u00d7 40 m = 1,000 m\u00b2 (building footprint).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Total Above-Ground Floor Area<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: The building has 20 stories, and each story has the same floor area as the footprint.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 1,000 m\u00b2 \u00d7 20 stories = 20,000 m\u00b2 (total above-ground floor area).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Underground Parking Structure<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: The parking structure has 2 levels and covers the same area as the building footprint.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 1,000 m\u00b2 \u00d7 2 levels = 2,000 m\u00b2 (total parking area).<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Material Production (Embodied Carbon)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Concrete:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 0.93 kg CO\u2082 per kg of concrete.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: Concrete usage of approx. 16,329 metric tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 16,329,330 kg \u00d7 0.93 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>15,185,280 kg CO\u2082 (15,185 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Steel (Reinforcement):<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx.1.85 kg CO\u2082 per kg of steel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: Steel reinforcement increases to approx. 3,628.74 metric tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 3,628,740 kg \u00d7 1.85 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>6,713,169 kg CO\u2082 (6,713 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Glass (Curtain Wall):<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx.1.2 kg CO\u2082 per kg of glass.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: Glass usage increases to approx. 725.75 metric tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 725,750 kg \u00d7 1.2 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>870,900 kg CO\u2082 (871 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Aluminum (Curtain Wall):<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 8.24 kg CO\u2082 per kg of aluminum.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Assumption<\/em>: Aluminum usage is approx. 272.16 metric tonnes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 272,160 kg \u00d7 8.24 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>2,243,606 kg CO\u2082 (2,244 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Other Materials (e.g., insulation, finishes):<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. <strong>1,814.37 metric tonnes CO<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Total Embodied Carbon<\/strong>: 15,185 + 6,713 + 871 + 2,244 + 1,814 = <strong>26,827 metric tonnes CO\u2082<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Transportation of Materials<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Transportation emissions are for the material quantities above. Key assumptions:<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Total material weight<\/em>: approx. 22,770 metric tonnes (concrete + steel + glass + aluminum + others).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 0.2 kg CO\u2082 per tonne-km.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 22,770 metric tonnes \u00d7 100 km \u00d7 0.2 kg CO\u2082\/tonne-km = <strong>455,400 kg CO\u2082 (455 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Construction Process<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Construction activities are adjusted for the reinforced concrete frame and curtain wall system. Key assumptions:<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Diesel fuel consumption<\/em>: approx. 120,000 liters (slightly higher due to concrete work).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 2.68 kg CO\u2082 per liter of diesel.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 120,000 liters \u00d7 2.68 kg CO\u2082\/liter = <strong>321,600 kg CO\u2082 (322 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Operational Energy (During Construction)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Temporary energy use is slightly higher due to the complexity of the curtain wall installation. Key assumptions:<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Energy consumption<\/em>: approx.300,000 kWh.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx.0.5 kg CO\u2082 per kWh (grid average).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 300,000 kWh \u00d7 0.5 kg CO\u2082\/kWh = <strong>150,000 kg CO\u2082 (150 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Waste and Demolition<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Construction waste is proportional to material quantities. Key assumptions:<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Waste generated<\/em>: approx. 10% of total materials (2,272.96 metric tonnes).<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 0.5 kg CO\u2082 per kg of waste.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><em>Calculation<\/em>: 2,272,960 kg \u00d7 0.5 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>1,136,480 kg CO\u2082 (1,136 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>Total Carbon Emissions for Construction<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\">Adding up all stages, we get the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Embodied carbon<\/em>: 26,827 metric tonnes<\/li>\n<li><em>Transportation<\/em>: 455 metric tonnes<\/li>\n<li><em>Construction process<\/em>: 322 metric tonnes<\/li>\n<li><em>Operational energy<\/em>: 150 metric tonnes<\/li>\n<li><em>Waste and demolition<\/em>: 1,136 metric tonnes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\" style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><span class=\"s1\"><strong>Total<\/strong>: 26,827 + 455 + 322 + 150 + 1,136 = <strong>28,890 metric tonnes CO\u2082<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>ASSUMPTIONS FOR UNDERGROUND PARKING STRUCTURE<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Size of Parking Structure<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Assumption<\/em>: A typical underground parking structure for a 20-story building might have 2 levels and cover the building&#8217;s footprint.<\/li>\n<li><em>Assumption<\/em>: The building footprint is 1,000 m\u00b2, so the parking structure area is. 2,000 m\u00b2 (2 levels \u00d7 1,000 m\u00b2).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Material Quantities<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Concrete<\/strong>: Underground structures require significant amounts of concrete for walls, slabs, and foundations.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Assumption<\/em>: approx. 0.5 m\u00b3 of concrete per m\u00b2 of parking area.<\/li>\n<li><em>Total concrete<\/em>: 2,000 m\u00b2 \u00d7 0.5 m\u00b3\/m\u00b2 = 1,000 m\u00b3.<\/li>\n<li><em>Density of concrete<\/em>: approx. 2,400 kg\/m\u00b3.<\/li>\n<li><em>Total concrete weight<\/em>: 1,000 m\u00b3 \u00d7 2,400 kg\/m\u00b3 = <strong>2,180.24 metric tonnes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Steel Reinforcement<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Assumption<\/em>: approx. 150 kg of steel reinforcement per m\u00b3 of concrete.<\/li>\n<li><em>Total steel<\/em>: 1,000 m\u00b3 \u00d7 150 kg\/m\u00b3 = <strong>136.08 metric tonnes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Waterproofing and Other Materials<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Assumption<\/em>: Additional materials (e.g., waterproofing membranes, drainage systems) add <strong>453.59 metric tonnes CO\u2082<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Additional Carbon Emissions for Underground Parking<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Concrete<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 0.93 kg CO\u2082 per kg of concrete.<\/li>\n<li><em>Calculation<\/em>: 2,180,240 kg \u00d7 0.93 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>2,027,823 kg CO\u2082 (2,028 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Steel Reinforcement<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 1.85 kg CO\u2082 per kg of steel.<\/li>\n<li><em>Calculation<\/em>: 136,080 kg \u00d7 1.85 kg CO\u2082\/kg = <strong>251,748 kg CO\u2082 (252 metric tonnes CO\u2082)<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Other Materials<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Emissions<\/em>: approx. 454 metric tonnes CO\u2082.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Total Additional Embodied Carbon:<\/strong> 2,028 + 252 + 454 = <strong>2,734 metric tonnes CO\u2082<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>CARBON EMISSIONS COST PER SQUARE METRE\/SQUARE FOOT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Total building area<\/strong> = <em>20,000 m\u00b2<\/em> <span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;(above-ground building),&nbsp;<\/span><em>22,000 m\u00b2<\/em> <span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;(including parking structure)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Total carbon emissions<\/strong> = <em>28,890 metric tonnes<\/em> <span class=\"s1\">(above-ground building), <em>31,624 metric tonnes<\/em> (including underground parking)<\/span> (1 metric tonne = 1,000 kg)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Conversion factor<\/strong>: 1 square meter (m\u00b2) = 10.7639 square feet (ft\u00b2)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Calculations Square Metre (<span class=\"s1\">above-ground building)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">28<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">890<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> tonnes&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"mbin\">\u00d7 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">1<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000 <\/span><span class=\"mrel\">= <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">28<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">890<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">28<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">890<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> kg CO\u2082 \/&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span>20,000 m\u00b2 = <strong><span class=\"mord\">1<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">444.5<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082\/m\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Calculations Square Foot <span class=\"s1\">(above-ground building)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">20<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> m\u00b2&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"mbin\">\u00d7 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">10.7639 <\/span><span class=\"mrel\">= <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">215<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">278<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">28<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">890<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> kg CO\u2082 \/ 215<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>278&nbsp;ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/span> = <strong><span class=\"mord\">134.2<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> kg&nbsp;CO\u2082\/ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong style=\"background-color: rgb(255 255 255\/var(--tw-bg-opacity)); font-size: 1rem;\">Calculations Square Metre (<span class=\"s1\">including parking structure)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mbin\"><span class=\"mord\">31<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">624<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> metric&nbsp;tonnes&nbsp;<\/span><\/span>\u00d7 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">1<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000 <\/span><span class=\"mrel\">= <span class=\"mord\">31<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">624<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">31<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>624<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>000&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082 \/ <\/span><\/span><\/span>22,000 m\u00b2 = <strong><span class=\"mord\">1<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">437.45<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082&nbsp;per&nbsp;m\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Calculations Square Foot <span class=\"s1\">(<strong style=\"background-color: rgb(255 255 255\/var(--tw-bg-opacity)); font-size: 1rem;\">including parking structure<\/strong>)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">22<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\"> m\u00b2&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><span class=\"mbin\">\u00d7 <\/span><\/span><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">10.7639 <\/span><span class=\"mrel\">= <span class=\"mord\">236<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">805.8<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">31<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>624<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>000&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082 \/ 215<span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span>278&nbsp;ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/span> = <strong><span class=\"mord\">133.54<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">&nbsp;kg&nbsp;CO\u2082&nbsp;per&nbsp;ft\u00b2<\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\"><b>BUILDING (6-STOREY)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span class=\"s1\"><strong>BUILDING ASSUMPTION OVERVIEW:<\/strong><b> <\/b><\/span><span class=\"s1\">6-story residential building, wood-frame construction on a site <em>without<\/em> existing buildings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>ASSUMPTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Building Size:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em>Total floor area<\/em>: 10,000 m\u00b2 (six stories, approx. 1,666 m\u00b2 per floor).<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Material Quantities:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Wood<\/em>: 0.3 m\u00b3 of wood per m\u00b2 of floor area.<\/li>\n<li><em>Concrete<\/em>: 0.1 m\u00b3 of concrete per m\u00b2 of floor area.<\/li>\n<li><em>Steel<\/em>: 10 kg of steel per m\u00b2 of floor area.<\/li>\n<li><em>Insulation<\/em>: 0.05 m\u00b3 of insulation per m\u00b2 of floor area.<\/li>\n<li><em>Other materials (e.g., glass, finishes)<\/em>: 5 kg per m\u00b2 of floor area.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Embodied Carbon Factors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Wood<\/em>: 50 kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3.<\/li>\n<li><em>Concrete<\/em>: 300 kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3.<\/li>\n<li><em>Steel<\/em>: 2,000 kg CO\u2082\/tonne.<\/li>\n<li><em>Insulation<\/em>: 100 kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3.<\/li>\n<li><em>Other materials<\/em>: 2 kg CO\u2082\/kg.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Construction Phase Emissions:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Energy use for construction<\/em>: 10 kWh\/m\u00b2.<\/li>\n<li><em>Carbon intensity of construction energy<\/em>: 0.5 kg CO\u2082\/kWh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>CALCULATIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Embodied Carbon<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Wood<\/strong>:<br \/>\n<span class=\"katex\"><span class=\"katex-mathml\">0.3\u2009m\u00b3\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 50\u2009kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3 = <\/span><span class=\"katex-html\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">150<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">kg CO\u2082&nbsp;<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Concrete<\/strong>:<br \/>\n<span class=\"katex\"><span class=\"katex-mathml\">0.1\u2009m\u00b3\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 300\u2009kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3 = <\/span><span class=\"katex-html\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">300<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">kg CO\u2082<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Steel<\/strong>:<br \/>\n<span class=\"katex\"><span class=\"katex-mathml\">10\u2009kg\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 2\u2009kg CO\u2082\/kg = <\/span><span class=\"katex-html\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"base\"><span class=\"mord\">200<\/span><span class=\"mpunct\">,<\/span><span class=\"mord\">000<\/span><span class=\"mord text\"><span class=\"mord\">kg CO\u2082<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Insulation<\/strong>:<br \/>\n0.05\u2009m\u00b3\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 100\u2009kg CO\u2082\/m\u00b3 <span aria-hidden=\"true\">= 50,000kg CO\u2082<\/span><\/li>\n<li><strong>Other Materials<\/strong>:<br \/>\n5\u2009kg\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 2\u2009kg CO\u2082\/kg <span aria-hidden=\"true\">= 100,000kg CO\u2082<\/span>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Total Embodied Carbon<\/strong>: <span aria-hidden=\"true\">150,000 + 300,000 + 200,000 + 50,000 + 100,000 = <strong>800,000 kg CO\u2082<\/strong><\/span><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Construction Phase Emissions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>10\u2009kWh\/m\u00b2 \u00d7 10,000\u2009m\u00b2 \u00d7 0.5\u2009kg CO\u2082\/kWh = <strong><span aria-hidden=\"true\">50,000kg CO\u2082<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Total Construction-Related Emissions<\/strong>: 8<span aria-hidden=\"true\">00,000 + 50,000 =<\/span>&nbsp;<strong>850 metric tonnes CO\u2082<\/strong> (850,000 kg CO\u2082)<\/p>\n<h3>SOCIAL COSTS OF CARBON EMISSIONS<\/h3>\n<p><strong>CONSTRUCTION ASSUMPTIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><em>Total CO\u2082 Emissions<\/em>: <strong>28,890 metric tonnes<\/strong> (above-ground building) or <strong>31,624 metric tonnes<\/strong>&nbsp;(including underground parking).<\/li>\n<li><em>BC Carbon Tax (CAD)<\/em>: <strong>$80 per ton<\/strong> (based on rates as of April 2024\u2014a rate set to increase to $170\/ton by 2030).&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><strong>Calculation<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li>Above-ground building: 28,890 \u00d7 80 = <strong>$2,311,200 CAD<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Including parking: 31,624 \u00d7 80 = <strong>$2,529,920 CAD<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>***<\/p>\n<p><em>Other articles in the <strong>Rising High, Falling Short<\/strong> series:<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/03\/rising-high-falling-short-introduction\/\">Rising High, Falling Short: Introduction<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\">Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/03\/10\/rising-high-falling-short-social-and-economic-division\/\">Rising High, Falling Short: Social and Economic Division<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>**<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"s1\"><b><i>Erick Villagomez<\/i><\/b><i> is the Editor-in-Chief at Spacing Vancouver and teaches at UBC\u2019s School of Community and Regional Planning. He is also the author of <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/settlement\/\">The Laws of Settlements: 54 Laws Underlying Settlements Across Scale and Culture<\/a><i>.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Metrics Summary Building: A 20-story residential building constructed of a reinforced concrete frame with a curtain wall facade on a site with no existing buildings. Carbon Emissions for Construction: approx. 28,900 metric tonnes (above-ground building) or approx. 31,600 metric tonnes (including underground parking) Carbon Emissions per Square Metre\/Square Foot: approx. 1,440 kg CO\u2082 per<a href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"sr-only\">&#8220;Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6004,"featured_media":37858,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[10,11230,11232,24,6670],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-37825","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-architecture","category-community","category-features","category-housing","category-politics"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions - Spacing Vancouver<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions - Spacing Vancouver\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Key Metrics Summary Building: A 20-story residential building constructed of a reinforced concrete frame with a curtain wall facade on a site with no existing buildings. Carbon Emissions for Construction: approx. 28,900 metric tonnes (above-ground building) or approx. 31,600 metric tonnes (including underground parking) Carbon Emissions per Square Metre\/Square Foot: approx. 1,440 kg CO\u2082 perContinue reading &quot;Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Spacing Vancouver\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-02-05T18:00:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-08-14T17:54:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"http:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/02\/ConstructionCarbon_Headline_600px.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Erick Villagomez\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Spacing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Spacing\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Erick Villagomez\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"13 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/vancouver\/2025\/02\/05\/rising-high-falling-short-construction-related-carbon-emissions\/\",\"name\":\"Rising High, Falling Short: Construction-Related Carbon Emissions - 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