EMBRACING CIRCULARITY: STRATEGIES FOR REDUCING EMBODIED CARBON IN BUILDING MATERIALS IN ONTARIO

As the urgency of climate change intensifies, the construction and building industry faces increasing pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper examines the role of building materials in embodied carbon emissions within the sector, with a focus on the Canadian context, particularly central Ontario. Through interviews with industry professionals, the study identifies persistent challenges to implementing circular economy (CE) principles in building materials' use and management. The research suggests that municipalities play a pivotal role in overcoming these barriers through comprehensive material flow analysis, policy development, and the creation of economic and regulatory incentives. Strategies for reducing embodied carbon are proposed, including standardizing data collection on building materials, incentivizing material reuse, exploring public-private partnerships for material exchange networks, and involving the project team early in the design process for tailored low-carbon solutions. Results indicate that while significant advancements have been made in operational emissions reduction, embodied emissions require equal attention, calling for innovation in design, construction, deconstruction, and reuse. Canadian municipalities that have integrated advanced green building practices provide a roadmap for others to follow. Ultimately, the paper emphasizes the necessity of a holistic approach to emission reductions in the construction and building industry, advocating for a robust secondary materials market and standardized deconstruction practices to integrate quality materials back into the built environment and achieve lower cumulative carbon emissions in line with Canada’s commitment to net zero by 2050.