National greenhouse gas emissions reporting frameworks take a territorial perspective, reporting on emissions produced within national territories. However, much of what we design, engineer and consume in the UK and Europe is manufactured abroad. This 'embodied carbon' is not included in national accounts, nor design and engineering processes, and so is traditionally ignored. There is therefore a significant risk that when taking actions to reduce emissions close to home, we inadvertently increase them elsewhere.To avoid this, designers and engineers must take a full 'carbon footprint' perspective, using life cycle assessment (LCA) or related methods. This presentation will cover the cutting edge in applying LCA in design and engineering, covering a range of collaborative research between academia and industry. It will illustrate the importance of taking a life cycle approach, as well as how it can be done effectively in practice

Allen, Stephen

Cascione, Valeria

Cooper, Sam

Dams, Barrie

Maskell, Dan

Roberts, Matt

Shea, Andrew

Walker, Pete

English

OPUS

        Citation for published version:Allen, S, Cooper, S, Roberts, M, Cascione, V, Dams, B, Maskell, D, Shea, A & Walker, P 2021, 'Delivering realcarbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineering', Climate Exp0, 17/05/21 -21/05/21.Publication date:2021Document VersionOther versionLink to publicationPublisher RightsCC BY-NDUniversity of BathAlternative formatsIf you require this document in an alternative format, please contact:openaccess@bath.ac.ukGeneral rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright ownersand it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediatelyand investigate your claim.Download date: 05. Jul. 2024www.postersession.comwww.postersession.comBox 2.  Proactive use of LCA in design process (example for material selection)Key messages1) LCA can be used retrospectively, after a design has been produced.  At this stage there is more data and hence certainty in predictions of environmental impact, which is useful for accurate reporting, but is often too late to change the design to reduce carbon.  (See Box 1.)2) Using LCA proactively within design processes makes it more feasible to inform and influence decisions, but there is then less data available for LCA, and more uncertainty.  Rather than using single-point estimates of environmental impacts (as is typical), a probabilistic approach can help. This can visualise uncertainty in estimates for designers, and raise confidence that design choices will lead to real reductions.  (See Box 2.)3) Among other projects, we are applying both forms of LCA to understand and minimise the environmental impacts of novel bio-based construction practices (Interreg “Circular Biobased Construction Industry”; CBCI)4) Quantifying the climate impact of bio-based materials remains a challenge in both academia and industry and is crucial for achieving net zero.  We and colleagues are working on this; see ‘further information’.Delivering real carbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineeringSR Allen1*, M Roberts1, V Cascione1, S Cooper1,2, B Dams1, D Maskell1, A Shea1, P Walker11. Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath* For more information, contact: s.r.allen@bath.ac.uk, http://go.bath.ac.uk/stephen-allenAbstractNational greenhouse gas emissions reporting frameworks take a “territorial” perspective, reporting on emissions produced within national territories. However, much of what we design, engineer and consume in the UK and other countries is manufactured abroad. The 'embodied carbon’ of our imports is not included in national accounts (Figure 1), nor in typical design and engineering processes, and so is traditionally ignored. We can only be sure that our activities are contributing to real, overall carbon reductions if we consider our complete carbon footprint.To achieve this, designers and engineers can use life cycle assessment (LCA) or related methods to determine the carbon footprint of their products. But this is usually data and time intensive, both of which are in short supply in real design and engineering processes. Our research seeks to solve this problem.Figure 1. Annual UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionsData sources: UK Carbon footprint data from Defra / University of Leeds; Territorial emissions data from UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.- In real design processes both time and data are limited.  There is also greater uncertainty about what a design will ultimately look like.  This makes LCA challenging.- It is therefore useful to visualise uncertainty in estimates, as in Figure 5. The distributions are created by applying a data quality assessment to single-value estimates from a standard LCA approach. The negative numbers represent net carbon sequestration in bio-based materials.  - We see that the values for some materials are more certain (have less spread and taller spikes) than others. We can also see that in some cases there is overlap among options, and we see easily that in some cases there are groupings rather than a clear ranking. - This is more useful for engaging the design team and for increasing confidence that decisions based on LCA results will lead to low-carbon outcomes.   - 200 400 600 800 1,0001990 2000 2010 2020Annual GHG Emissions [Mt-CO2e]EMBODIED IN CONSUMPTIONTERRITORIAL EMISSIONSIn 2017, GHG emissions embodied in goods and services used in the UK were 68% greater than territorial emissions!Figure 5. Probabilistic ranges of materials under considerationBox 1. Retrospective use of LCA to identify hotspots- In the initial design (Figure 2), LCA found that sheeting, connectors and cladding had high global warming potential (GWP).- Figure 3 shows how changes to the design could address ‘hotspot’ emissions, reducing GWP by approximately 50% for this case.- However, in practice, this was done after the design process, which is often too late to make changes to realise the ‘all reductions’ scenario in Figure 3.050100150200250InitialDesignNoConnectorsLow-ImpactCladdingLocalSheetingAllReductionsGWP Total [kgCO2e/m2]Sheeting Cladding Connectors Insulation Finishing OtherFigure 3. Hotspot analysis and reduction opportunities0 1234Figure 2. Panel SchematicPanel Cross Section:Biobased CladdingTimber BattensBiobased SheetingHorizontal Timber Studs with Insulation1Vertical Timber Studs with Insulation1Biobased SheetingInternal Finishing BoardNotes:1Timber studs attached using aluminium connectorsConnectors19% recycled aluminium; 81% virgin aluminiumOrigin: ItalyBiobased Sheeting:Agricultural waste;Formaldehyde-free glueOrigin: ChinaBiobased Cladding:30% fibre waste; 30% calcium carbonate; 40% other componentsOrigin: The NetherlandsFigure 4. Source locations and transport modes of key componentsFurther information:Cascione, V., Roberts, M., Allen, S., Dams, B., Maskell, D. & Shea, A. Life cycle assessment of circular bio-based construction. 4th Int. Conf. on Bio-Based Building Materials. June 16-18 2021, Barcelona, SpainFurther information:- CBCI project: https://www.bath.ac.uk/projects/cbci-circular-bio-based-construction-industry/- Allen, S. New research grant with industrial partners: LCA in design of net-zero carbon buildings, EP/V047027/1- Hawkins, W., Cooper, S., Allen, S., Roynon, J., & Ibell, T. (In press). Embodied carbon assessment using a dynamic climate model: Case-study comparison of a concrete, steel and timber building structure. Structures. Hotspot reduction:Initial DesignConnectors removed frompanelCladding replaced with low-impact alternativeSheeting replaced with locally produced productAll reduction measures43210Further information:Roberts, M., Allen, S., & Coley, D. (2020). Life cycle assessment in the building design process – A systematic literature review. Building and Environment, 185(November), 107274. 1

Delivering real carbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineering

        Citation for published version:Allen, S, Cooper, S, Roberts, M, Cascione, V, Dams, B, Maskell, D, Shea, A & Walker, P 2021, 'Delivering realcarbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineering', Climate Exp0, 17/05/21 -21/05/21.Publication date:2021Document VersionOther versionLink to publicationPublisher RightsCC BY-NDUniversity of BathAlternative formatsIf you require this document in an alternative format, please contact:openaccess@bath.ac.ukGeneral rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the public portal are retained by the authors and/or other copyright ownersand it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.Take down policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediatelyand investigate your claim.Download date: 17. Jul. 2021www.postersession.comwww.postersession.comBox 2.  Proactive use of LCA in design process (example for material selection)Key messages1) LCA can be used retrospectively, after a design has been produced.  At this stage there is more data and hence certainty in predictions of environmental impact, which is useful for accurate reporting, but is often too late to change the design to reduce carbon.  (See Box 1.)2) Using LCA proactively within design processes makes it more feasible to inform and influence decisions, but there is then less data available for LCA, and more uncertainty.  Rather than using single-point estimates of environmental impacts (as is typical), a probabilistic approach can help. This can visualise uncertainty in estimates for designers, and raise confidence that design choices will lead to real reductions.  (See Box 2.)3) Among other projects, we are applying both forms of LCA to understand and minimise the environmental impacts of novel bio-based construction practices (Interreg “Circular Biobased Construction Industry”; CBCI)4) Quantifying the climate impact of bio-based materials remains a challenge in both academia and industry and is crucial for achieving net zero.  We and colleagues are working on this; see ‘further information’.Delivering real carbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineeringSR Allen1*, M Roberts1, V Cascione1, S Cooper1,2, B Dams1, D Maskell1, A Shea1, P Walker11. Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering, 2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath* For more information, contact: s.r.allen@bath.ac.uk, http://go.bath.ac.uk/stephen-allenAbstractNational greenhouse gas emissions reporting frameworks take a “territorial” perspective, reporting on emissions produced within national territories. However, much of what we design, engineer and consume in the UK and other countries is manufactured abroad. The 'embodied carbon’ of our imports is not included in national accounts (Figure 1), nor in typical design and engineering processes, and so is traditionally ignored. We can only be sure that our activities are contributing to real, overall carbon reductions if we consider our complete carbon footprint.To achieve this, designers and engineers can use life cycle assessment (LCA) or related methods to determine the carbon footprint of their products. But this is usually data and time intensive, both of which are in short supply in real design and engineering processes. Our research seeks to solve this problem.Figure 1. Annual UK greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionsData sources: UK Carbon footprint data from Defra / University of Leeds; Territorial emissions data from UK National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory.-275 -175 -75 25 125 225ProbabilityGWP Total [kgCO2e]Mycelium Recycled Denim Fibre Compressed ReedsAgricultural Fibre Mix Grass Fibre Flax FibreSheeps Wool Stone Wool Cellulose Wadding- In real design processes both time and data are limited.  There is also greater uncertainty about what a design will ultimately look like.  This makes LCA challenging.- It is therefore useful to visualise uncertainty in estimates, as in Figure 5. The distributions are created by applying a data quality assessment to single-value estimates from a standard LCA approach. The negative numbers represent net carbon sequestration in bio-based materials.  - We see that the values for some materials are more certain (have less spread and taller spikes) than others. We can also see that in some cases there is overlap among options, and we see easily that in some cases there are groupings rather than a clear ranking. - This is more useful for engaging the design team and for increasing confidence that decisions based on LCA results will lead to low-carbon outcomes.   - 200 400 600 800 1,0001990 2000 2010 2020Annual GHG Emissions [Mt-CO2e]EMBODIED IN CONSUMPTIONTERRITORIAL EMISSIONSIn 2017, GHG emissions embodied in goods and services used in the UK were 68% greater than territorial emissions!Figure 5. Probabilistic ranges of materials under considerationBox 1. Retrospective use of LCA to identify hotspots- In the initial design (Figure 2), LCA found that sheeting, connectors and cladding had high global warming potential (GWP).- Figure 3 shows how changes to the design could address ‘hotspot’ emissions, reducing GWP by approximately 50% for this case.- However, in practice, this was done after the design process, which is often too late to make changes to realise the ‘all reductions’ scenario in Figure 3.050100150200250InitialDesignNoConnectorsLow-ImpactCladdingLocalSheetingAllReductionsGWP Total [kgCO2e/m2]Sheeting Cladding Connectors Insulation Finishing OtherFigure 3. Hotspot analysis and reduction opportunities0 1234Figure 2. Panel SchematicPanel Cross Section:Biobased CladdingTimber BattensBiobased SheetingHorizontal Timber Studs with Insulation1Vertical Timber Studs with Insulation1Biobased SheetingInternal Finishing BoardNotes:1Timber studs attached using aluminium connectorsConnectors19% recycled aluminium; 81% virgin aluminiumOrigin: ItalyBiobased Sheeting:Agricultural waste;Formaldehyde-free glueOrigin: ChinaBiobased Cladding:30% fibre waste; 30% calcium carbonate; 40% other componentsOrigin: The NetherlandsFigure 4. Source locations and transport modes of key componentsFurther information:Cascione, V., Roberts, M., Allen, S., Dams, B., Maskell, D. & Shea, A. Life cycle assessment of circular bio-based construction. 4th Int. Conf. on Bio-Based Building Materials. June 16-18 2021, Barcelona, SpainFurther information:- CBCI project: https://www.bath.ac.uk/projects/cbci-circular-bio-based-construction-industry/- Allen, S. New research grant with industrial partners: LCA in design of net-zero carbon buildings, EP/V047027/1- Hawkins, W., Cooper, S., Allen, S., Roynon, J., & Ibell, T. (In press). Embodied carbon assessment using a dynamic climate model: Case-study comparison of a concrete, steel and timber building structure. Structures. Further information:Roberts, M., Allen, S., & Coley, D. (2020). Life cycle assessment in the building design process – A systematic literature review. Building and Environment, 185(November), 107274. 1Hotspot reduction:Initial DesignConnectors removed frompanelCladding replaced with low-impact alternativeSheeting replaced with locally produced productAll reduction measures43210

https://purehost.bath.ac.uk/ws/files/221935650/Allen_et_al_2021_LCA_in_design_and_engineering_FINAL_reissued.pdf

Delivering real carbon reductions: the role of life cycle assessment in design and engineering

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

OPUS

OPUS