终身碳评估——香港的具体碳量化

Whole Life Carbon Assessment–Embodied Carbon Quantification in Hong Kong August 2026 Contents Executivesummary This is approximately 30–40% higher thaninternational benchmarks, primarily due tohigh-rise construction typologies and theextensive use of carbon-intensive structuralmaterials. The built environment is a keycontributor to global carbonemissions, accounting forapproximately 40% of totalemissions. In Hong Kong, buildingsalone takes up >60% of carbonmissions, and around 90% ofelectricity consumption, highlightingthe urgent need to address bothoperational and embodied carbonacross the construction lifecycle. Key findings include: •Structural components (foundation,substructure, andsuperstructure) contributeover 50% of total embodied carbon,representing the most significant opportunityfor reduction. •Low-carbon materials such asGroundGranulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS)concrete and recycled steel can achieve20–30% reduction in embodied carbon, withrelatively low-cost premiums. This white paper, jointly developed by Arupand Rider Levett Bucknall (RLB), presents apractical study on Whole Life CarbonAssessment (WLCA), with a focus onembodied carbon quantification in Hong Kongand Mainland China. By integrating quantitydata with carbon assessment methodologies, thestudy establishes a robust and scalable approachfor understanding carbon impacts acrossdifferent building components and projectstages. •Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing (MEP)systems introduce significant variability anduncertainty in carbon calculations due toinconsistent data availability and lack ofstandardised carbon factors. •Data inconsistencies and unit mismatches inBill of Quantities (BOQs) presenta majorchallenge for accurate carbon quantification. The analysis of selected residential andcommercial projects reveals that total embodiedcarbon emissions in Hong Kong and MainlandChina typically range between 1100 and 1400kgCO₂e/m²for full lifecycle boundaries. The study demonstrates that the greatestopportunities for carbon reduction occur duringearly project stages. Embedding WLCA intoconcept design and procurement processesenables project teams to identify carbonhotspots, evaluate design alternatives, andoptimise material selection while balancing costand performance. This white paper advocates for a shift towardsintegrating carbon considerations alongsidetraditional cost and programme drivers. Byembedding WLCA as a core decision-makingtool, the construction industry can accelerateprogress towards net-zero targets and delivermore sustainable and resilient builtenvironments across the region. To support industry-widedecarbonisation, the paper identifiesseveral strategic priorities: •Establishing a standardised embodied carbondatabase for Hong Kong and MainlandChina.•Adopting consistent methodologies alignedwith international standards.•Enhancing collaboration between engineers,quantity surveyors, and project stakeholders.•Leveraging digital tools and AI to improvedata processing, transparency, and workflowefficiency.•Increasing regulatory flexibility to supportthe adoption of innovative low-carbonmaterials and construction methods. 1. Why WLCA A Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA)considers carbon emission arising from allstages of a project. According to ISO14000 andISO14040, four main stages in the life cycle ofa building have been defined. They could beroughly defined under the following categories:Stage A–Construction; stage B–In use; stageC–End of life; and stage D–Beyond buildinglife cycle. These could be further broken downinto subcategories as listed below. The systemboundaries descriptions are in accordance withEN 15978. The built environment is responsible for almost40% of global carbon emissions, includingbuildings and infrastructure assets, andembodied and operational carbon (UNEP,2022). In Hong Kong, buildings account foraround 90% of the total electricity consumption(HKCAP 2050, 2021). It is important when assessing the carbonimpact of a building to understand theconstituent parts as they build up over time. Goals aligned with national andinternational climate commitments Key summary as listed below: •China and Hong Kong have committed toreach carbon neutrality by 2060 and2050respectively. To meet the ambitions of the Paris ClimateAgreement and limit global warming to+1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, we need tomanage and mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions to a credible version of zero byadopting a systems thinking approach to ouranthropogenic activities and impacts. •In 2021, the Hong Kong Governmentpublished “Hong Kong’s Climate ActionPlan 2050”. It aims to reduce carbonemissions by 50% from the 2005 level,60-70% zero carbon energy by 2035 and netzero by 2050. emissions in infrastructure. It offers a commonframework for various infrastructure types andvalue chain members on how to manage wholelifecycle carbon when delivering infrastructureassets and programs of work. •World GBC: 40% reduction