Development of an embodied carbon database for construction materials in Malaysia

Abstract

Excessive carbon dioxide emission has threatened the world globally as it has caused global warming and natural phenomenon since several decades ago. Several ideas to decrease the output of carbon dioxide that consists of operational carbon (OC) and embodied carbon are many and one of them is to develop a database of embodied carbon (EC) emission to control and mitigate embodied carbon emission. Currently, there is no such database in Malaysia despite the carbon dioxide production is consistently rising and the country is one of ASEAN countries with a high amount of carbon dioxide production. The aim of this research is to introduce a local database for EC emission in Malaysia by recommending components of the database and suggesting measures that can be applied to ensure its relevance and clarity of its data. Three objectives need to be fulfilled in this research are: to identify the relevancy of a local database for EC emission in Malaysia; to develop appropriate measures that can be implemented to ensure the accurateness of data; and to propose important components and features of the local database that are suitable to be used in Malaysia. The research applied an in-depth interview sessions as a method to collect data and analyse the data collected with a qualitative method. Five respondents from different background that are knowledgeable with embodied carbon have interviewed. Based on interview sessions, the research has firmed that the database is relevant in Malaysia despite the EC emission is not give a big impact to the atmosphere in the country. The database can provides more reliable and accurate data that are suitable to be used in the country. Nevertheless, there are several problems that can affect the quality of data such as non-standardised, complex, and non-compliance in a manufacturing process. The scarcity of available data also can affect the accurateness of data. Thus, the involvement of the government is the most recommended to solve those problems. The research also has suggested a number of features and components that are suitable to be included in the database. Components such as EC value, list of materials, carbon calculator, indexing system, EC data for transportation activity, and price of materials are recommended. In addition, free-access database and integration with other green rating tools features in the database also are recommended as it can make the database more functional and usable to many professions. The findings from this research that introduce the local EC database will help to control embodied carbon emission, to encourage green building in Malaysia, and to increase awareness regarding a systematic database for EC emission by all related professionals in Malaysia.