In the heart of Ghana, a significant shift in construction practices is on the horizon, driven by a groundbreaking study led by Theophilus Frimpong Adu of the Department of Renewable Energy Technology at Cape Coast Technical University. The research, published in Heliyon, which translates to ‘healthy’, delves into the embodied carbon (EC) emissions of two common building materials: stabilized laterite bricks and sancrete blocks. The findings could reshape the commercial landscape of the energy sector and the construction industry in Ghana and beyond.
Embodied carbon, the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of a building material, has long been a concern for sustainability advocates. Adu’s study, which employed a cradle-to-site life cycle assessment (LCA) approach, revealed some surprising results. While the EC per kilogram of air-dried stabilized laterite bricks (0.0505 kgCO2e/kg) was higher than that of sancrete blocks (0.0336 kgCO2e/kg), the overall EC per square meter for a stabilized laterite building was significantly lower (268.16 kgCO2e/m2) compared to a sancrete building (313.39 kgCO2e/m2).
The key to this discrepancy lies in the reduced need for plastering and paint in stabilized laterite buildings. As Adu explains, “The higher EC per kilogram of stabilized laterite bricks is offset by the reduced amount of cement used in plastering and the elimination of paint, both of which contribute to higher embodied carbon emissions in sancrete buildings.”
This research suggests that substituting cement and paint with lower EC materials could be a game-changer for sustainable construction. The implications for the energy sector are profound. By reducing the demand for cement and paint, Ghana could see a significant decrease in its carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to mitigate climate change.
Moreover, the study highlights the potential of laterite bricks as a sustainable and practical choice for Ghana’s built environment. “Air-dried laterite bricks offer a practical and sustainable choice for Ghana’s built environment due to their lower embodied carbon footprint and reliance on locally available materials,” Adu notes.
The commercial impacts are far-reaching. Construction companies could see cost savings from reduced material use, while energy providers could benefit from a decreased demand for energy-intensive materials like cement. Furthermore, the increased use of locally available materials like laterite could stimulate local economies and reduce dependence on imported materials.
The study also calls for further research to include the entire building life cycle, from construction to operational and end-of-life stages. This holistic approach could provide even more insights into the long-term benefits of using stabilized laterite bricks.
As the construction industry grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions, Adu’s research offers a compelling case for embracing stabilized laterite bricks. The findings, published in Heliyon, underscore the importance of innovation and sustainability in the construction sector, paving the way for a greener future.