The UK and other signatories to the 2016 Paris Agreement have signed up to meet certain emission targets. To its credit, the UK has set a target in law of net zero emissions by 2050 . This has resulted in increased deliverables aimed at sustainability outcomes for architects and engineers. See updated RIBA Plan of Work 2020 . It has also resulted in delays to large infrastructure projects like Heathrow Airport Expansion, and opened the door to additional scrutinity of other rail and road projects in the UK. So, not an airy-fairy abstract and far away thing. Listening to this recent podcast (21 min+) I was intrigued by the discussion about tracking how much carbon is used on site during construction. I suppose lifting equipment like hoists, cranes and excavators etc all mostly use petroleum-based fuels which could be replaced by electric batteries or the kit could even be plugged into the grid to reduce emissions. Batteries are also carbon intensive to manufacture and don't last. But, minimising the duration of use for all that equipment would be something that would be key to reducing carbon emissions. It should be easy to generate running totals of emissions by tracking the length of time of s say a tower crane is required on site. Any moves, erection / dismantling would also be easily quantified by looking at the programme. The site's Power On date would be easy to integrate into the calculations. All diesel etc kit would then be able to switch to electrical mains after the PO date. Hybrids (25 mins+) going to be more common? It would great to build this kind of reporting into Synchro, OOTB. I am surpised to see that the ICE carbon database seems to be construction site location neutral. In other words, it does not take into account the amount of carbon needed to transport the materials to site? I suppose this is OK for small sites, but for large projects, which has the option to use non-road based bulk transport networks like marine (eg Thames Tideway) or rail, looking at the transport component in more detail would be an important means for reducing carbon. This would require a simulation tool like Synchro. I see a lot of Synchro models start from a completed BIM model that is progressively 'r evealed in place' according to a timeline. The lifting euipment is only shown for information. They do not actually lift the material into place, so do not really simulate the construction process from an expanded energy standpoint. I wonder if this now will need to change. One reason timber construction is being pushed by the Dutch and othe governments is due to the high specific strength of the material which means that the energy required to transport and erect the structure is much reduced. Timber being lighter than say concrete.
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