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Proceedings / IGLC 33

IGLC 33 · Osaka and Kyoto, Japan · 2025

Construction Site Emissions: Exploring Sustainable Practices

  1. Postdoctoral Researcher, Industrial Engineering and Management Department, LUT University, Lappeenranta, Finland, muge.tetik@lut.fi, orcid.org/0000-0002-4013-0577
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology (Taltech), Tallinn, Estonia, ergo.pikas@taltech.ee, orcid.org/0000-0001-5691-685X
  3. Adjunct Professor, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology (Taltech), Tallinn, Estonia, lauri.koskela@taltech.ee, orcid.org/0000-0003-4449-2281
  4. Early Stage Researcher, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Tallinn University of Technology (Taltech), Tallinn, Estonia, kadiriin.vendel@taltech.ee, orcid.org/0009-0004-1702-1817

https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0127

Abstract

Construction and renovation projects generate significant amounts of embodied carbon. However, studies often neglect emissions from the construction phase and focus on operational emissions of building in use. This study examines existing literature and prevalent certification systems, focusing on how they address site activities in relation to sustainability impacts. A comprehensive review of public domain data has been carried out. The current state of the most used certification systems and their approach on embodied carbon emissions from the construction phase has been determined. Interviews with an international panel of experts were held to gather insights. The study contributes to identifying requirements and analyzing incentives for achieving emission-free sites. Findings can serve as a roadmap for operating with less emissions for different construction supply chain actors and policymakers.

Keywords

  • Sustainable construction
  • emission-free construction sites
  • construction site emissions.

Cite this paper

APA 7th edition

Tetik, M., Pikas, E., Koskela, L., & Vendel, K.-R. (2025). Construction Site Emissions: Exploring Sustainable Practices. In O. Seppänen, L. Koskela, & K. Murata (Eds.), Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 33) (pp. 1208–1218). https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0127

Shortened reference for IGLC papers

Tetik, M., Pikas, E., Koskela, L., & Vendel, K.-R. (2025). Construction Site Emissions: Exploring Sustainable Practices. IGLC33. https://doi.org/10.24928/2025/0127