Does carbon accounting have an impact on decision-making in building design?

ABSTRACT

Carbon accounting allows for an estimation of the embodied carbon amount associated with the construction stage of project development. However, in Australia such practice is not mandatory. This research investigates if carbon accounting can affect decisions in building design. Semi-structured interviews of project managers were conducted in Melbourne, Australia. While respondents showed good understanding of energy efficiency and life-cycle costing, they appeared to have misconceptions about carbon accounting. The results of this study reveal more energy efficient building may also be more embodied carbon consuming to construct. Interviewees recognized a need for carbon accounting and suggested this would improve the scientific credibility of decision-making in building designs. However, unless required by the government regulations, carbon accounting may not attract the attention that may help drive better decisions in building designs.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon accounting
• energy efficiency
• project design decision

Acknowledgements

The research team would like to thank Mr Tony O'Connell, Director of TS Construction Pty. Ltd.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.