2. Earlier studies
Energy and CO2 implications of building construction in
New Zealand has been examined by Buchanan and Honey
[1]. A detailed analysis of nett carbon emissions resulting
from construction of buildings (in New Zealand) using
different structural materials has been made. The study
concludes that significant decrease in CO2 emissions would
result from a shift in construction from steel, concrete and
aluminium to greater use of wood (renewable and sustainable)
in construction. Study of Suzuki et al. [2] throw more
light on energy consumption and CO2 emission due to
housing construction in Japan. Total energy required and
CO2 emissions/m2 of area of different types of constructions
have been compared. Energy consumption for the construction
of steel and reinforced concrete (RC) multi-storeyed
family houses is 8–10 GJ/m2, whereas, for wooden singlefamily
houses it is 3 GJ/m2. They conclude that wooden
houses score over other types of constructions in terms of
energy requirements and CO2 emissions.