Development of a BIM-based Carbon Dioxide Emission Estimation System -Focus on an Apartment in Korea

Abstract

Recently, a goal was set globally to reduce the Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) emission at national levels by 30 % in comparison to the Business As Usual (BAU) pursuant to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. As construction industry accounts for as high as 40 % of the CO₂ emission by the entire industrial sector in Korea, efforts toward reducing emissions from the construction industry are essential. Buildings are mainly responsible for CO₂ emissions, and, to reduce the CO₂ emitted from the buildings, a fast and accurate calculation method is required to be introduced in the architectural design phase. If the standardized data based on Building Information Modelling (BIM) is utilized, CO₂ emissions can be calculated quickly and accurately during the design phase. However, it is difficult for the designers who lack the knowledge regarding CO₂ emissions to reduce and manage such emission during the planning and design phases of buildings by estimating the quantities of various materials and the corresponding CO₂ emissions. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to develop a BIM-based CO₂ emission estimation system for a rapid and objective analysis and verification of CO₂ emissions.