Architecture and Construction
Carbon Dioxide Emissions in Britain
The reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases to reduce the effects of climate change is a global necessity.
Linked to this is a necessary reduction in the global use of fossil fuels.
In Britain in 2014 fossil fuels constitute approximately 75% of the fuel used to generate energy.
Source: CIA World Fact Book
One of the largest energy users in Britain is Architecture and Construction accounting for some 65% of the yearly energy use.
Therefore the contribution of carbon dioxide into the environment via. Architecture and Construction is a key factor in determining the ability of Britain to assist in the control of global climate change, the ending of the use of fossil fuels and the creation of a renewable energy economy.
Historical Emissions and Populations
1850 Total world emissions = 198 Mt Co2
1850 world population = 1,216,000,000
1850 Per person emission = 0.16 tonnes per person
1890 Total world emissions = 1304 Mt Co2
1890 world population = 1,656,000,000
1890 Per person emission = 0.78 tonnes per person
1930 Total world emissions = 3855 Mt Co2
1930 world population = 2,070,000,000
1970 Per person emission = 1.86 tonnes per person
1970 Total world emissions = 14531 Mt Co2
1970 world population = 3,712,338,708
1970 Per person emission = 3.9 tonnes per person
2010 Total world emissions = 31,350,455,000 tonnes
2010 world population = 6,843,522,711
2010 Per person emission = 4.5 tonnes per person
2011 Total world emissions = 32274 Mt Co2
2011 world population = 6,943,437,438
2011 Per person emission = 4.64 tonnes per person
2013 Total world emissions = 36000 Mt Co2
2013 world population = 7,000,000,000
2013 Per person emission = 5.14 tonnes per person
Sources
CAIT 2.0, WRI’s The History of Carbon Dioxide Emissions | World Resources Institute
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_population and associated sources
OECD
MtCo2 = million tonnes of carbon dioxide (1,000,000,000 kg of carbon dioxide)
Reuters
Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Architecture and Construction Sector in Britain
Retail = 21,400,000,000 MtCo2
Office = 8,000,000,000 MtCo2
Warehouse = 10,700,000,000 MtCo2
Industrial = 13,300,000,000 MtCo2
Other Commercial = 15,100,000,000 MtCo2
Other Non-Domestic = 21,500,000,000 MtCo2
Domestic = 124,100,000,000 MtCo2
Transportation = 17,100,000,000 MtCo2
Industrial processes = 93,300,000,000 MtCo2
Other = 17,700,000,000 MtCo2
Total = 342,200,000,000 MtCo2
Total CO2 emissions for Britain = 550,800,000,000 MtCO2e
MtCO2 = million tonnes carbon dioxide
MtCO2e = million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent
Source: WWW.Gov.UK DECC
Source: BPF 2013
Conclusions
The key factors are population, technology use and fossil fuel use.
These, with the consumer economy, have accelerated the output of carbon dioxide emissions and accelerated global warming.
The UK emissions were 5.73% of the total world emissions between 1880 and 2018 and in 2010 had reduced to 1.57% of the total world emissions.
This data would indicate an improvement in the localized emissions in Britain. However the world emissions are rising exponentially as the world population increases and the climate acknowledges no legal boundaries.
The total Carbon Dioxide emissions account for approx. 62% of the total UK emissions.
The largest Architecture and Construction sector, Domestic , accounting for the largest Carbon Dioxide emissions.
The energy used in Britain is very fossil fuel dependant.
The larger the fossil fuel use the larger the increases in output of greenhouse gas emissions which accelerates climate change.
Architecture and Construction should therefore only be carried out when absolutely necessary.
Architecture and Construction will have to reduce considerably to meet UN Climate Agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Ian K Whittaker
My websites:
https://sites.google.com/site/architecturearticles
Email: iankwhittaker@gmail.com
28/07/2014
14/10/2020
602 words over 3pages