Carbon tracking in the building sector: A ‘cabbage’ framework

Abstract

<p>The great challenge of global climate change urges world economies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development, where the building sector plays a vital role. Carbon tracking technology is one of the keys to capturing carbon emissions for sustainable construction such as net-zero buildings. This paper reviews five key carbon tracking technologies – life cycle assessment (LCA), energy modeling, building operation monitoring, carbon accounting software, and green certification and rating systems. With summarized advantages, beneficiaries, and limitations of the five technologies, we propose a Carbon Tracking ‘Cabbage’ (CTC) framework that incorporates all carbon tracking tools as inner technological layers for multiple stakeholders at multiple stages of construction management. The main contribution of this paper is the CTC framework that rationalizes the scopes and adoption strategies of carbon tracking technologies by collaborative stakeholders to achieve informed decision-making, implement effective carbon reduction strategies, and subsequently contribute to climate change mitigation actively.</p>