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ALJAZERA

Green Environment

ALJAZERA is in the process of adopting ultra – efficient buildings concept in its signature Giga project of Madinat Al Wouroud.


Transition

Reducing Embodied Carbon in Buildings

Net Zero
Concrete

Opportunities from Innovation - Concrete

Ultra-efficient, connected buildings combine high performance and low-carbon buildings materials with electric systems, distributed energy and intelligent management systems to maximize efficiency.

Buildings account for at least 40 percent of energy-related global carbon emissions on an annual basis. At least one-quarter of these emissions result from embodied carbon, or the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with manufacturing, transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal of building materials. Embodied carbon reductions can often:

  • Reduce material use and project costs,
  • Reduce energy consumption in raw material extraction, manufacturing, and transportation,
  • Help to meet green building certification requirements, and
  • Better position building owners for future code or policy changes that incentivize or require low embodied carbon.

A sustainable, zero-carbon global economy will, literally and figuratively, rest on concrete. It is the world’s most-used building material. It is ubiquitous, versatile, affordable, durable, strong and recyclable – and is the second-most consumed substance in the world, after water. It will provide the foundations for our green energy systems, for climate-resilient infrastructure, for safe, healthy, and secure housing, for clean water and for low-carbon transportation around the world. It will be central to meeting many of the world’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The sector has a suite of options that can help to bring down its carbon footprint. Alternative fuels and the electrification of kilns can drive fossil fuels out of its energy use. Its transport infrastructure can be decarbonized. Efficiency of material use can be maximised, buildings repurposed, and recycling can be promoted (concrete is 100% recyclable). Clinker (the main emitting ingredient of cement) is already being substituted with alternative materials where possible, and this can be extended in the coming years along with novel cement use. Carbon-capture technology can also be employed to manage unavoidable process emissions.

Source – weforum