Is zero carbon construction real?

The latest edition of Passive House + magazine features an article by Andrew Simmonds and me, providing an accessible look at whether zero carbon construction is possible. It tackles the creative carbon accounting that is sometimes used to claim zero or negative carbon emissions in construction, and looks at what can be done to reduce emissions.

We suggest that efficient use of bio-based materials from rapidly-grown (ideally annually renewable) crops can provide an important carbon-release buffer,  and should be encouraged - but that this does not itself make your building zero carbon.

We also look at the scale of forestry growth that would needed to offset construction emissions by that route, and at the uncertainties involved in offsetting generally.

And more!

I’m very pleased with it, and keen to see how it’s received. Comments welcome!

The article ends with a list of recommendations for carbon reductions and carbon accounting in construction.

It was commissioned by the AECB as part of their ongoing work to work to develop and share sustainable building practice.

It’s on page 62 of the magazine (66 in the Irish edition) via the link above