Asmaa Sadou Ammar

Embodied Carbon in Construction: Policy, Planning, and Material Waste

Name: Asmaa Sadou Ammar
Primary Supervisor: Dr. Gareth Abrahams
Year: 2
Discipline: Planning
Presentation type: Poster
Project Title: Embodied Carbon in Construction: Policy, Planning, and Material Waste

Abstract:

The construction sector plays a key role in global emissions, with embodied carbon—emissions from material extraction, production, and construction—receiving less policy attention than operational carbon. This research uses a systematic literature review (2012–2024) and life cycle assessment (LCA) to explore how policy, planning, and material waste influence embodied carbon in buildings. It highlights progress in legislation but also gaps such as inconsistent standards and overreliance on proxy data in LCA tools. The study finds that early integration of carbon metrics in planning is rare, and material waste remains underrepresented in assessments despite its high impact. These findings provide actionable insights to support carbon reduction strategies through improved regulation, planning practices, and resource management. The research aims to contribute to the development of more sustainable and net-zero-aligned construction practices globally.