"Carbon Negative" is the new target | Rebuilding Airports 2021

Change is about to come. What can we do?

After the remarkable decline in carbon levels observed in the first period of the pandemic last year, there has finally been a leap in the world awareness of climate change and carbon emissions. However, 2020 was still the warmest year in the global land-ocean temperature index, according to NASA (1). There is multiple evidence that global temperatures will continue to rise and these changes have impacts on organisms and ecosystems, as well as our well-being (2). Therefore policymakers are trying to set new targets to reduce carbon emissions. For example, the EU decided to cut carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 (3).

What about industries? Energy sector emits carbon most while the building sector effectuates 38% of all energy-related CO2 emissions (4). These numbers underline the importance of the operational costs, an effective design as well. With this awareness, the number of green projects has increased in recent years. However, many studies and observations show that green projects are essential but not effective enough to change the course. The "Net Zero" movement has started off with the perception of this. Hence, it was pleasing to see this topic has given place in Rebuilding Airports 2021. The global aviation industry accounts for around 2% of all human-induced CO2 emissions (5).

Image reference: Bill Reed, Regenesis Group. (6)

In the event, Matthew Pierpoint shared a methodology from a case study. The examples highlighted how important design decisions are. The grid of the structure, the details and low carbon materials... as well as whole stages of LCA. Though all of these were impressive, new targets was the most remarkable and exciting: Sustainability goals are ultimately changing to "Carbon Negative". To be able to reach this, he explained some solutions which were energy storage, renewable energy systems such as PVs and renewable biomass, zero emission fuels, circular water management, circular economy and waste management. All of the suggestions were so valuable and functional. Moreover, they can also be applied to existing buildings. Thanks for sharing these information and the event.

(1) https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/

(2) https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/

(3) https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-56828383

(4) https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/building-sector-emissions-hit-record-high-low-carbon-pandemic

(5) https://www.atag.org/facts-figures.html#:~:text=The%20global%20aviation%20industry%20produces,carbon%20dioxide%20(CO2)%20emissions.&text=Aviation%20is%20responsible%20for%2012,to%2074%25%20from%20road%20transport.&text=Globally%2C%20the%20average%20occupancy%20of,than%20other%20forms%20of%20transport.

(6) Bill Reed, Trajectory of Ecological Design, Regenesis Group.