Reducing embodied carbon in building sector: policies, tools in developed countries and recommendations for Viet Nam

Abstract

Reducing embodied carbon is increasingly important to achieve the carbon reduction target in the building sector. Based on the results of analysis and evaluation of policies and tools to reduce embodied carbon in the building sector in some developed countries, this study provides some recommendations to guide the development and implementation of policies and measures towards reducing embodied carbon in the building sector in Vietnam. The major recommendations including: Studying and assessing the current status and developing the database for embodied carbon at different levels: construction product level (building materials, structure) and building level; Studying and updating the contents and criteria of the existing green building assessment and certification tools with considering the integration of requirements for embodied carbon reduction; Studying and developing legal basis and documents, regulations, standards, and technical guidelines for reducing embodied carbon in the building sector; Encouraging enterprises manufacturing building materials to study, develop and issue the environmental product declarations (EPD), including information about the product's embodied carbon.