Carbon foorprint for hostel construction using industrialised building system in Pauh Putra, Perlis

Emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from construction sector has been estimated to contribute nearly 50% of total global emission. Identifying the sources of emissions and understanding their function and relationship to construction activities are essential if not crucial, in mitigating this global crisis. Sustainability research has been initiated to reduce and eradicate the carbon emissions problem, especially in the construction industry. This study evaluates the carbon footprint of the main machinery and materials used in constructing a five-storey hostel that implemented Industrialised building system (IBS) method in Perlis, Malaysia. A life cycle assessment (LCA) framework is used in conducting a partial LCA from pre-design to construction phase. LCA was performed in accordance with the four-step which is goal and scope definition, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation. It also used as a method to systematically analyse the environment assessment. Results showed that the five-storey hostel in Pauh Putra,Perlis has obtained a total IBS Score of 73.4%. Theindirect carbon footprint hotspots are coming from prefabricated sandwich panels manufacturing factory, especially one which manufactured by boiler machine. During this process, 4.52 tonnes of CO₂e are released by the machines. This is due to the extensive energy used for steam heating and high engine rating for the boiler. Cement releases about 369.04 tonnes CO₂e. Its direct carbon footprint hotspots are caused by the large quantity of cement used in the shotcrete mixture and its high extraction–production CO₂ emission values. Meanwhile, overall onsite materials generated 65.60% of the total carbon footprint. Whereas, the direct carbon footprint hotspots by the fuel machinery at the construction site were heavily from excavator and construction of building superstructure task, which yields 81.59 tonnes CO₂e and 86.76 tonnes CO₂e, respectively. This is mainly due to the extensive use of both types of machinery in the daily construction activities. These results can be used as one of the samples in many problems to determine an adequate understanding the impact of IBS construction to carbon emissions in Malaysia.