Autodesk has recently unveiled a new whitepaper called "Building Net Zero and The Role of Data in Green Construction," which offers valuable insights into the current sustainability landscape in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and proposes potential solutions.

The whitepaper underscores the global drive to achieve net-zero carbon emissions, fueled by increasing national and regulatory pressures. This momentum is leading to a significant shift towards sustainable practices in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries.

Sumit Oberoi, industry strategy manager at Autodesk Construction Solutions, highlights the rising global adoption of green construction practices across various sectors. He asserts that construction is evolving into green construction worldwide, and with powerful construction technology and digital tools, sustainability is now seen as a catalyst for progress and profitability rather than an obstacle.

According to a previous study conducted by Autodesk, the Asia Pacific (APAC) region is responsible for more than half (53 percent) of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with a staggering 18.3 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) produced in 2020. The research further reveals that the manufacturing sector contributes 17 percent of these emissions, while the construction and building sectors account for 4 percent in the region.

Sumit Oberoi, industry strategy manager at Autodesk Construction Solutions, highlights various environmental impacts associated with construction, including the destruction of ecosystems due to mining and logging, pollution and high energy consumption in material manufacturing, harm to local waterways and plant life, air pollution caused by heavy machinery, high CO2 emissions, and the contamination risk from toxic chemical spills. However, Oberoi emphasizes that mitigating these impacts is possible, and it should begin with leveraging data-driven approaches.

Mitigating Building Project Impact through Green Construction Practices

Green construction entails a commitment to environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices, aiming to minimize the environmental and community impact of construction projects. This approach emphasizes energy efficiency, waste reduction, the use of low-impact materials, protection of indoor air quality, minimal site disturbance, and responsible water usage, among other considerations.

According to Oberoi, the adoption of powerful technology and digital tools is pivotal in enabling green construction. He highlights that building a more sustainable construction industry should begin with leveraging data.

In the past, building projects often operated in separate silos, with architects, engineers, and contractors working independently. However, digital solutions now facilitate secure real-time access and sharing of data among all stakeholders. This increased transparency in projects and connection of numerous data points leads to improved productivity, reduced errors, minimized rework, lower costs, and decreased waste.

 

The difference between embodied and operational carbon emissions

Differentiating between operational and embodied carbon emissions is crucial due to their distinct impacts and generation timelines throughout the building's lifecycle, as stated by Oberoi.

Implementing energy-efficient building systems and renewable energy initiatives can help mitigate operational carbon emissions.

In contrast, embodied carbon emissions resulting from construction materials are irreversible after the building is constructed and the materials are utilized. Negative consequences arising from the sourcing of these materials cannot be reversed.

Users of Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) now have the opportunity to choose carbon-smart materials by utilizing the Embodied Carbon in Construction Calculator (EC3). Developed by Building Transparency in collaboration with nearly 50 industry partners, including Autodesk, EC3 is a free cloud-based tool.

The EC3 tool utilizes data from Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to evaluate and present the embodied carbon impacts in a user-friendly manner. This empowers users to assess the embodied carbon impact of materials used in their projects and select those with the lowest carbon footprint.

Oberoi highlights the increased utilization of environmentally friendly materials like straw, mud brick, and timber in construction, particularly in the Australia and New Zealand region. These materials have lower carbon footprints compared to conventional options such as concrete and steel.

The utilization of waste and recycled materials is now a common practice in road infrastructure. In February 2020, Chatham Street in central Adelaide became the first road in Australia to be constructed entirely from recycled materials, including reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled vegetable oil. This road exhibits superior strength, being 25 percent stronger than standard asphalt.

Oberoi emphasizes that the creation of a more sustainable construction industry starts with data. By establishing shared data environments and leveraging advanced technology solutions, stakeholders can make informed decisions regarding energy-efficient designs, waste reduction strategies, and the use of sustainable materials.