FEATURE
INGENIEUR
Greenhouse Gas Emission Assessment in Construction Industry Value Chain
By Sazalina Zakaria , Radin Diana R . Ahmad , Ahmad Rosly Abbas Built Environment and Climate Change Unit , Generation and Environment Department , TNB Research Sdn Bhd
Ir . Dr Zuhairi Abd . Hamid Technology Development Sector , Construction Industry Development Board
Ir . M Ramuseren , Fuhairah binti Ahmad Fuad Department of Safety & Health , Environment and Quality , Construction Industry Development Board
Greenhouse gas ( GHG ) emissions , often referred to as carbon emissions , are key factors contributing to climate change and negatively impact the environment ( IPCC , 2015 ). An international treaty has been signed and ratified to combat climate change as a common goal to reduce GHG emissions . National and sub-national Governments are adopting and implementing a variety of climate change mitigation actions . Complete , consistent , transparent , and accurate GHG emissions assessments are necessary to ensure these mitigation actions achieve the intended results and meet domestic and international objectives ( IPCC , 2000 ).
Based on Malaysia ’ s Third National Communication ( NC3 ) to the United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change ( UNFCCC ), the assessment of GHG emissions in the construction industry is not reported as a sector but separately under multiple sources . These sources range from energy use in the construction industry and industrial processes of construction materials ( MESTECC , 2018 ). To better understand the best possible combination of mitigation options based on available policies , plans , and programmes to achieve Malaysia ’ s mitigation targets to the Paris Agreement , a sectoral GHG emissions assessment for the construction industry value chain in Malaysia needs to be conducted . The inventory will support the assessment of potential mitigation measures within the construction sector ( UNFCCC , n . d ).
In support of the national commitment , the Construction Industry Transformation Programme ( CITP ) was launched by the Ministry of Works ( KKR ) and Construction Industry Development Board ( CIDB ) Malaysia in 2015 . The CITP outlined four Key Strategic Thrusts to guide the construction industry ’ s transformation and development . One of the strategic thrusts is environmental sustainability . The objective is to develop Malaysia into low a carbon and sustainable construction hub , focusing on the value chain .
Therefore , to establish a basis for policymakers to formulate appropriate policies to reduce industry-wide GHG emissions , it is important to understand and quantify the various sources of GHG emissions within the construction sector . By identifying the key sources of GHG emissions ( including the construction value chain ), targeted and effective GHG reduction strategies can be formulated for the Malaysian construction industry .
This study was conducted to determine GHG emissions in the construction industry value chain from manufacturing material , transportation , and construction activities , identify the potential GHG reductions from these activities and make recommendations on implementing incentive and disincentive schemes in Malaysia ’ s construction industry ( CIDB , 2020 ).
38 VOL 88 OCTOBER-DECEMBER 2021