Quantifying Carbon Emissions and Sequestration Potential in Educational Infrastructure: A Case Study from Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

The construction industry is a major source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, primarily CO2, released during the building stage from materials and operations. This research quantifies the embodied carbon emissions and the resulting sequestration potential for a specific infrastructure project in a developing region. The case study focuses on a two-storied educational building (41,491 ft² total floor area) located at Quaid e Awam University of Engineering Science & Technology, Nawabshah, Sindh. The study estimated emissions embodied in four structural materials: brick, cement, sand, and steel. Analysis indicated that the educational building emits 35.68 kg CO2 per square foot through the construction materials required. To offset this environmental impact, a strategic carbon sequestration method was proposed, utilizing free space near the building's surroundings covered by vegetation (trees). The mitigation modeling showed that the rate of CO2 sequestration is 0.006 kg per square foot. The total estimated annual CO2 sequestered is 50.778 tons or 101,556 lb (assuming a 5-year-old plant). Based on this sequestration rate, the research concluded that approximately 30 years would be necessary to fully absorb the carbon emitted from the construction materials. The study highlights the environmental burden of traditional construction and underscores the necessity of calculating emissions and sequestration to combat climate change. It recommends adopting vegetation-based carbon reduction strategies and mandating the use of eco-friendly materials before planning any infrastructure, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).