L'empreinte carbone du béton

Introduction to Carbon Footprint of Concrete

Understanding Carbon Footprint

• The carbon footprint refers to the total greenhouse gas emissions associated with a product throughout its lifecycle, including production, transportation, and usage.

• Concrete has a carbon footprint of approximately 85 grams of CO2 per kilogram, which is relatively low compared to other materials like steel or beef.

• Despite its low individual footprint, concrete contributes significantly to global emissions due to its widespread use in construction.

Why is Concrete Popular?

• Concrete possesses six key advantages:

• It withstands mechanical stress and chemical aggression.

• It can be molded into various shapes and finishes.

• It is widely available and easy to work with.

• It remains cost-effective for diverse applications.

Carbon Emissions by Sector

Breakdown of Carbon Footprint in France

• Each individual in France has an average carbon footprint of about 10 tons annually. Major contributors include:

• Transportation: ~3 tons

• Food sector: ~2.5 tons

• Housing: ~2 tons

Housing's Contribution

• The housing sector accounts for around 2 tons per person, factoring in consumption, construction, and maintenance. However:

• New housing construction represents only a small fraction of this total; most emissions arise from energy use within existing homes.

Concrete's Lifecycle Impact

Analyzing Concrete Usage

• In France, approximately 60 million cubic meters of concrete are used annually for over 60 million residents—averaging less than one cubic meter per person each year.

• The carbon footprint for one cubic meter of standard concrete is about 200 kg CO2 across its entire lifecycle. This results in an annual per capita impact also around 200 kg CO2.

Conclusion on Emissions