Energy and carbon dioxide implications of building construction

Abstract

This paper investigates the amount of energy required to construct buildings, and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions to the atmosphere from the fossil fuel components of that energy. Energy requirements and carbon dioxide emissions are compared for typical commercial, industrial and residential buildings, using New Zealand as an example. A modest change from concrete and steel to more wood construction could lead to a substantial reduction in energy requirements and carbon dioxide emissions, but the sustainability of such a change has significant forestry implications.