Dora OMRI Certificate

Which Industry Emits The Most Greenhouse Gases?

Leave a Comment / News, News & Event / By
When it comes to the biggest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions, many might guess transportation or energy production. But the surprising truth is: the construction industry takes the lead.
Contents hide
1 Construction’s Carbon Footprint
2 Where Do Construction’s Carbon Emissions Come From?
3 Emissions During Construction Phase: 2.82 Billion Tons of CO₂
4 Emissions During Building Operation: 2.31 Billion Tons of CO₂
5 Can Planting Trees on Roofs Reduce Emissions?
6 Dora's Solution for Sustainability And Low Carbon

Construction’s Carbon Footprint

  • A 2023 report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) reveals that the construction sector accounts for a staggering 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions, making it the top emitter worldwide.
  • In China, the numbers are equally alarming. The Research Report on Carbon Emissions in China’s Urban and Rural Construction Sector shows that in 2022, total carbon emissions related to the country’s construction industry reached 5.13 billion tons of CO₂, accounting for 48.3% of China’s energy-related carbon emissions.

Where Do Construction’s Carbon Emissions Come From?

Construction’s carbon emissions span the entire building lifecycle, from material production to daily operation.

Emissions During Construction Phase: 2.82 Billion Tons of CO₂

  • Building materials production and transportation: This is the largest source, contributing 2.72 billion tons of CO₂. Materials like steel, cement, and glass require massive energy input during manufacturing:
    • Cement production, for example, involves high-temperature calcination of limestone. This process not only burns fossil fuels (coal, natural gas) but also releases CO₂ directly through calcium carbonate decomposition, accounting for 9% of China’s total carbon emissions[3].
    • Steel production is even more carbon-intensive, making up 15% of China’s total emissions—ranking it as the highest-emitting manufacturing industry.
  • On-site construction activities: These add another 100 million tons of CO₂. Heavy machinery (excavators, cranes, concrete mixers) burns large amounts of fuel, while temporary facilities (prefabricated houses) consume electricity for lighting and air conditioning. Additionally, earth excavation during construction can release stored carbon from soil, further boosting emissions.

Emissions During Building Operation: 2.31 Billion Tons of CO₂

Once a building is completed, its daily operation continues to emit carbon, with over half coming from electricity use. Key sources include:

 

  • Heating and cooling: Winter heating (via coal or gas boilers) and summer air conditioning (often powered by fossil fuel-based electricity) are the biggest energy hogs.
  • Lighting and appliances: Sustaining comfortable indoor environments and powering devices demand consistent energy, much of which still comes from carbon-heavy sources.

Can Planting Trees on Roofs Reduce Emissions?

While green roofs offer benefits like insulation and air purification, they alone aren’t enough to tackle construction’s massive carbon footprint. To truly reduce emissions, the industry needs holistic changes: low-carbon building materials (e.g., recycled steel, low-carbon cement), energy-efficient designs, and a shift to renewable energy for both construction and operation.

Dora's Solution for Sustainability And Low Carbon

  1. We  develop our leading products with less pollution, less chemicals.
  2. Aimed to use natural biostimulants to help growers increase agriculture value.
  3.  High efficiency working makes less wasting, good communication.

Leave a Comment

Scroll to Top
WhatsApp Us