The importance of use and end-of-life phases to the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of concrete – A review

• Published in: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews Vol. 37; pp. 360 - 369
• Main Authors: Wu, Peng, Xia, Bo, Zhao, Xianbo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Atmospheric pollution; Buildings. Public works; Climatology and bioclimatics for buildings; Concrete; Concretes. Mortars. Grouts; End-of-life phase; Exact sciences and technology; General (composition, classification, performance, standards, patents, etc.); GHG emissions; ISO 14067; Materials; Other pollution sources in industry; Pollution; Pollution sources. Measurement results; Use phase; GHG emissions; End-of-life phase; Use phase; Concrete; ISO 14067; Gas emission; Life cycle (environment); Ecobalance; Use; Construction materials; End of life; Maintenance; Dynamical climatology; Climate change; Simulation; Compensation; Greenhouse gas; Environment impact; Carbonation; ISO standard; Rehabilitation; Quantitative analysis
• ISSN: 1364-0321; 1879-0690
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2014.04.070

Global climate change is one of the most significant environmental impacts at the moment. One central issue for the building and construction industry to address global climate change is the development of credible carbon labelling schemes for building materials. Various carbon labelling schemes have been developed for concrete due to its high contribution to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, as most carbon labelling schemes adopt cradle-to-gate as system boundary, the credibility of the eco-label information may not be satisfactory because recent studies show that the use and end-of-life phases can have a significant impact on the life cycle GHG emissions of concrete in terms of carbonation, maintenance and rehabilitation, other indirect emissions, and recycling activities. A comprehensive review on the life cycle assessment of concrete is presented to holistically examine the importance of use and end-of-life phases to the life cycle GHG quantification of concrete. The recent published ISO 14067: Carbon footprint of products – requirements and guidelines for quantification and communication also mandates the use of cradle-to-grave to provide publicly available eco-label information when the use and end-of-life phases of concrete can be appropriately simulated. With the support of Building Information Modelling (BIM) and other simulation technologies, the contribution of use and end-of-life phases to the life cycle GHG emissions of concrete should not be overlooked in future studies.