Integrating Carbon Capture and Storage Across the Building Life Cycle for Material Decarbonization
Abstract
The construction industry, accounting for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, faces pressing demands for energy conservation and emission reduction. Concrete, as a major source of carbon emissions, requires a green transition to mitigate its environmental impact. This article focuses on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology and explores its application potential and strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of building materials across their entire life cycle. By analyzing the technical principles of CCS and its integration within the construction sector, this study demonstrates that CCS can address direct emissions from building operations and be embedded into the material life cycle through carbon utilization—such as carbon curing and mixing during production, and enhancing recycled aggregates at the end of life—thereby establishing a multi-stage carbon cycle. In conclusion, CCS technology is essential for achieving deep decarbonization in the construction sector. However, its large-scale deployment relies on standardization, policy incentives, and cross-sector collaboration.
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