Researchers at Kyushu University conducted a study on the carbon footprint of constructing a wooden house in Japan, taking into account the entire supply chain involved in the process. The team published their analysis in the Journal of Environmental Management with the goal of identifying emission hot spots in the supply chain so that policy makers can implement strategies to reduce its climate impact. This is a critical step in addressing the climate crisis and reducing greenhouse gas production.
In today’s interconnected economy, calculating the greenhouse gas emissions of a sector or object is complex. Professor Shigemi Kagawa and his team have been studying supply chain emissions to understand the totality of emissions produced, from assembly line to scrap yard. By focusing on the combined carbon emissions from building a standard wooden house in Japan, which represents 90% of the country’s total housing stock, the team aimed to determine which industrial sectors contribute the most to emissions in construction.
The researchers found that building a single wooden house in Japan produces an estimated 38 tons of CO2, with the electric power sector accounting for the largest share at 32% of total emissions. Other significant contributors included pig iron production, cement, road freight transport, and private power generation. The study also identified hotspots in the supply chain network, with steel manufacturing and material transport for building materials being major contributors to the carbon footprint.
The team’s findings emphasize the importance of targeting emission reduction efforts towards the supply chain in order to mitigate emissions from the construction sector effectively. While some countries have started emphasizing the construction of ‘low-carbon’ buildings, Japan still lacks a specific policy targeting the reduction of CO2 during the building phase. The researchers suggest that policy makers should promote efforts to renovate and remodel existing houses and focus on reusing foundations made from materials with high emission levels.
By understanding and addressing the complexities of the supply chain in the construction industry, industry groups and consumers can re-evaluate the carbon footprint of their practices. The team hopes that their research will encourage the implementation of policies that effectively reduce emissions in the construction sector. As the climate crisis continues to escalate, it is crucial to take actions that help mitigate greenhouse gas production and minimize the environmental impact of construction activities.
