Tackling Embodied Carbon with Innovation
To address the embodied carbon gap in Southeast Asia, NYP refined CPG Corporation's methodology to create a localised framework for turning complex building data into actionable insights.
As the global population nears 10 billion, the demand for new buildings is projected to double, significantly increasing carbon emissions. These emissions, released before a building is even occupied, are referred to as "upfront carbon" or "embodied carbon" and will account for half of the total carbon footprint of new constructions by 2050.
While Europe has developed embodied carbon measurement tools, these are not tailored to the materials used in Southeast Asia. This presents a substantial challenge to the global carbon budget, emphasising the vital role of Singapore's decarbonisation efforts under the SG Green Plan.
In partnership with CPG Corporation, NYP’s School of Design & Media selected buildings from Eunoia Junior College and NYP's campus block M for their study. Led by Mr. Ron Tang, lecturers and students collected data on the embodied carbon of various structural components. They utilised Building Information Modelling (BIM) concepts and the Singapore Green Building Council's (SGBC) embodied carbon database. This information was then translated into visual diagrams using Revit software, DiRoot’s technology, and Power BI.
Lin Zhenyi, Senior Project Manager for Innovation Management from CPG, said:
"Embodied carbon optimisation is a field that is in its infancy stage. Using BIM modelling techniques and carbon emission data tagging methods developed by CPG, the students could innovate and propose building solutions that serve the intended function while lowering the embodied carbon footprint through optimising materials and geometry.
With this collaboration, we hope to inspire a new generation of built environment professionals to use technology and innovative thinking to achieve decarbonisation."
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