Abstract

The construction sector serves as a vital pillar from both social and economic standpoints, fulfilling essential housing needs and contributing significantly to economic growth. However, its environmental impact is notable, manifesting through the release of substantial greenhouse gas emissions, ultimately leading to detrimental environmental consequences, such as global warming and ozone depletion. The global construction industry is a significant contributor, accounting for a substantial 39% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Civil construction, particularly in developing countries like India, holds a pronounced economic role. To address environmental concerns, the adoption of sustainable construction practices becomes imperative, not only to curtail greenhouse gas emissions but also to conserve finite resources. Developing economies are compelled to embark on large-scale civil construction and energy production ventures, accentuating the criticality of transitioning to a low-carbon economy, though this poses challenges in the process. To identify potential mitigation opportunities, comprehending the contributions of the construction industry and related activities is vital. Thus, the present study seeks to quantify the overall carbon material footprint of the construction sector in India, with a focus on identifying key contributing supply chains, industries, and products. To achieve this, extensive economy-wide input-output analysis is conducted utilizing economic input-output transaction tables jointly by the Central Statistical Organization (CSO) and Planning Commission. This comprehensive approach enables detailed sector disaggregation refined analysis, and facilitates benchmarking. To assess GHG emissions, the study develops a model based on input-output and process-based life cycle assessment principles. The significance of this in-depth analysis is to provide critical insights for reducing construction-related greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries. The outcome will aid in prioritizing future emissions reduction endeavors, directing targeted solutions toward improving the overall environmental performance of the construction industries.