Beyond the Trends- Materials and Technology

Embodied energy of construction materials contribute to 11 % of global greenhouse gas emissions and may exceed 230 gigatons by 2060. It is a known fact that a large part of the building stock is yet to be constructed and will follow existing practices which are highly carbon negative. Cement is the primary offender in greenhouse gas emissions in the building industry and replacing it with innovative and advanced materials could cut carbon emissions drastically. Furthermore, it would be revolutionary to look beyond cement for other innovative solutions such as by means of reducing the volume of materials required in construction, reusing/repurposing where possible and opting for high-performance eco-sensitive materials. These have been topics of discussion for over a decade yet the construction industry is notoriously slow to change. This could be reversed by creating sufficient demand in the market and consumers. High-quality, convenient solutions, with a clear payback can make sustainability an easier option. This session will focus on integrated sustainable options in the construction material industry that enables a sustainable future.