Marc Lyon & others
Implenia
2023
🌍 Context and Publisher The whitepaper titled "Net Zero: How to take the path to net zero carbon buildings" was published in 2023 by Implenia, a prominent international construction and real estate services provider based in Switzerland. The document is authored by the Real Estate Development division and features a foreword by Marc Lyon, the Head of Real Estate Development Switzerland at Implenia. This publication is aimed at advancing sustainable practices within the real estate industry and assisting stakeholders in meeting climate targets through the development of net zero carbon buildings. 🏢 Importance of Decarbonizing Buildings Buildings are significant contributors to global energy consumption, accounting for approximately 40% and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions, respectively. Therefore, decarbonizing the building sector is essential for meeting international climate goals. Net zero carbon buildings are characterized by minimal operational emissions from energy use, low embodied emissions from construction materials, and the offsetting of any remaining emissions. 🏗️ Key Characteristics of Net Zero Carbon Buildings A typical net zero carbon building features high energy efficiency, the integration of renewable energy systems such as solar photovoltaics, and the use of low-carbon construction materials. Notably, around 70-75% of total lifecycle emissions stem from upfront embodied carbon associated with materials and construction, rather than operational energy use. Therefore, effective decarbonization strategies include efficient design, renewable energy incorporation, passive design principles, and the selection of low-carbon materials. 🛠️ Strategies for Decarbonization Decarbonization should begin early in the planning process, with site selection playing a crucial role. Factors such as compact building design, orientation, and glazing significantly impact emissions. Benchmarks are essential for assessing where a building stands concerning embodied and operational carbon, and more ambitious targets are necessary to achieve net zero status. 🌱 Key Takeaways for Real Estate Professionals The whitepaper emphasizes that embodied carbon constitutes approximately 74% of a building's total lifecycle emissions, highlighting the potential for significant reductions through careful materials selection and construction methods. The most effective strategies for reducing carbon emissions are identified at the early planning and design stages. On-site renewable energy generation, particularly through photovoltaic systems, is critical for achieving net zero operational carbon. Implenia has set targets for its projects, aiming for net zero operational carbon by 2030 for new builds and 2050 for refurbishments, while also striving for net zero embodied carbon by 2040 for new constructions. Achieving these goals requires a comprehensive approach that spans all lifecycle phases, emphasizing the importance of early intervention in the planning process.
Implenia
Here is a detailed summary of the whitepaper "Net Zero: How to take the path to net zero carbon buildings":
Overview:
- The whitepaper was published in 2023 by Implenia, a leading international construction and real estate services provider.
- It aims to contribute to a sustainable real estate industry and help meet climate targets by providing guidance on how to develop net zero carbon buildings.
Author:
- The whitepaper was published by Implenia's Real Estate Development division, headquartered in Switzerland.
- The foreword is written by Marc Lyon, Head of Real Estate Development Switzerland at Implenia.
Target Audience:
- Real estate developers, builders, architects, engineers, sustainability experts, policymakers and any stakeholders involved in the real estate sector.
Main Points:
- Buildings account for around 40% of energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions globally. Decarbonizing the building sector is crucial to meet climate goals.
- Net zero carbon buildings have very low operational emissions from energy use, low embodied emissions from materials, and any remaining emissions are offset.
- A net zero carbon building typically has high energy efficiency, renewable energy systems like solar PV, a high share of low-carbon construction materials, and offsets for residual emissions.
- Most emissions come from materials and construction (upfront embodied carbon), not operational energy use. Upfront carbon is about 70-75% of total lifecycle emissions.
- Key strategies include: efficient design, renewable energy, passive design, low-carbon materials, and offsets.
- Decarbonization should be considered early, starting with site selection. Compact building design, orientation, glazing, and other early decisions impact emissions.
- Benchmarks help gauge where a building stands on embodied and operational carbon. More ambitious targets are needed to reach net zero.
- Multiple approaches are needed to reduce carbon across the full lifecycle. No single solution will get to net zero.
In summary, the whitepaper makes a strong case for net zero carbon buildings and provides practical guidance grounded in lifecycle assessment and real projects. The intended audience is real estate professionals looking to reduce the climate impacts of buildings.
Key takeaways from the white paper on achieving net zero carbon buildings:
- Embodied carbon makes up around 74% of a building's total lifecycle emissions, while operational carbon is only 26%. There is significant decarbonization potential in reducing embodied carbon through materials selection and construction methods.
- The most effective levers for reducing carbon are in the early planning and design stages, starting with site selection and analysis of access to renewables, compactness, and passive cooling potential.
- Compact building shapes have lower heating demand and embodied carbon per square meter than less compact shapes.
- On-site renewable energy generation, especially photovoltaics, is critical for net zero operational carbon. Orientation, tilt angle, and storage should be optimized for self-consumption.
- Purchasing 100% renewable electricity further reduces operational carbon. Green leases can secure renewable supply.
- Natural shading, ventilation, thermal mass, and green roofs/facades passively reduce cooling loads and the urban heat island effect.
- Targets are set for Implenia projects to reach net zero operational carbon by 2030 (new builds) or 2050 (refurbishments), and net zero embodied carbon by 2040 (new builds).
- A combination of strategies across all lifecycle phases, from planning through operation, is needed to achieve net zero carbon buildings. The earlier the focus, the greater the impact.