Buildings generate emissions in all phases of their life cycle, from manufacture through use up to their end of life. These emissions travel into the air, the water, and the soil where they cause a range of environmental issues. These include global warming, depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer, summer smog, dying forest trees and fresh water fish, and the eutrophication of water and soils. The objective is therefore to reduce buildings’ emissions throughout their entire life cycle as much as possible.
Indicators:
Climate change: Global Warming Potential (GWP)
Depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer: Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
Summer smog: Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential (POCP)
Dying forests and fresh water fish: Acid Potential (AP)
Eutrophication: Eutrophication Potential (EP)