Abstract
Since the Green Building Material Label System was carried out in 2004, it has archieved great outcomes. And the framework and promotion system have become completed . For operating in coordination with the “National Primary Plan for Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction” carried out by the Executive Yuan in April 2010 which has embition to bring Taiwan to a low-carbon society in a systematical way and achieve the goal for carbon reduction. This research project establish the methodology of carbon footprint assessment and carbon inventory in each phase of the building material life cycle by analysis of carbon foot print assessment systems from advanced countries. Executing pre-evaluation for potential building material industry value-added in accordance with the carbon footprint assessment integratd with green building material label system and proposing the feasible promotion strategy. And keep working on the dual main shafts of improving human’s health benefit and conservating energy and resource to construct the universal assessment platform for green buildind material.
Based on the preliminary analysis and advices from the profession of the building material industry, this project achieve the initial conclusion below.
1. Processing carbon footprint assessment on building materials is a clear trend. By doing so, product makers can review its manufacturing process and find its hot spot of GHG emission.
2. According to the results of life cycle invemtory, building materials can not be solely classified as B2B or B2C inventory scope, developing a classification system to assort building materials is revelant.
3. Based on the inventory of the production procedure of classified GBMs, building
materials could be classified into three categories: (1)100% Made in Taiwan (2) Material imported with domestic process (3)Solely building material imported.
4. Setting up a carbon footprint assessment system for Taiwan’s Green Building Material Label System shall not be a short-term plan. Proper plans of promotion and supporting need to be prepared. And the building-industry-related organizations should be the target market.
5. Environmental efficiency model for GBML could take both the quality and performace of building material and the environmental impact from the building material production into concern. For the upgrading of GBML system, this evaluation method is worthy for further development.
This project comes to suggestions for the immediate and long-term strategies.
For immediate strategies：
Providing information of carbon footprint assessment to the building material industry. Green building materials are various in Taiwan. By making selections and phases, relevant building materials shall be assessed prior to others as the role models.
For long-term strategies：
On the strength of annual project of green building material promotion and advanced project, taking carbon footprint inventory as part of its promotion content. Helping the building material industry and people to be aware of the importance of carbon footprint inventory and its information communication.