An In-depth Exploration of Carbon Footprint Analysis in the Construction Sector with Emphasis on the Dam Industry

The construction industry is a significant contributor to the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions released during the production and transportation of construction materials, as well as energy consumption in construction and operation. According to the World Economic Forum, this whole buildings and construction business contributes a substantial 39% to CO2 emissions from energy use. Here’s the thing—construction activities also generate a lot of waste, from tearing things down and building them up, and when that waste ends up in landfills, it starts emitting methane, a pretty potent greenhouse gas. Dams play a crucial role in this sector, warranting an assessment of their carbon footprint. This chapter employs the IMPACT2002+ methodology to evaluate the carbon footprint of two concrete dams: the Pine Flat dam (a concrete gravity dam) and the Morrow Point dam (a concrete arch dam). The first case study examines the complete life cycle, from construction to destruction, disposal, and recycling. It explores the impact of seismic retrofitting versus non-retrofitting, while the second case study focuses solely on the construction stage. Evaluation considers three stages: initial construction, seismic retrofitting, and decommissioning for the retrofitting and non-retrofitting part, assuming 20% concrete recycling for the latter. Results are presented for four life cycle scenarios, revealing a 32% reduction in pollution through concrete recycling during decommissioning. The study also highlights the positive environmental impact of retrofitting dams as compared to disposal, emphasizing considerations for carbon footprint and human health indicators.