At least a quarter of our carbon dioxide (CO .) emissions2) … to produce all kinds of materials. Researchers are now convinced of this, with the development of low-carbon energy sources and improved energy efficiency, material improvement constitutes the third pillar of decarbonization in our society. In the automotive and housing sectors, in particular, there is a lot to gain.
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[EN VIDÉO] Greenhouse gases: a new record in 2020 and beyond? According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the levels of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere in 2020 have reached a new record. The annual rate of increase was above the average for the period 2011-2020. And it seems that this trend will continue until 2021, and will continue to fuel global warming that is causing more and more extreme weather events and other severe consequences for life on our planet. To avoid the worst, we must now set targets for carbon neutrality. And keep them! © World Meteorological Organization
Our cars and homes are important carbon dioxide emitters (Ko2) and not just when you drive it or when it heats up. The production of the materials used to make them is actually responsible for at least a quarter of all emissions From greenhouse gases (greenhouse gases) in the world. a The study conducted at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Today it shows how emissions from this sector can be reduced by one-third to two-thirds by 2050.
Researchers first remember that manufactured products are responsible for 40% of carbon dioxide emissions2 related to materials. A large part is attributed to the passenger car industry. To reduce these emissions, the researchers proposed three strategies. Car and car sharing, first. The first is not only to reduce the total number of kilometers traveled by individual cars, but also to reduce the number of vehicles in circulation. Perhaps the number of cars made. This is also the primary objective of the second: car sharing which, let us remember, consists of assembling a fleet of vehicles.
Third side crane sector ofthe cars : reduce the size – and therefore weight – cars. To reduce the amount of materials needed for its manufacture. This proposal joins the first proposal made for Construction. It is also responsible for at least 40% of carbon dioxide emissions2 related to materials. And the residential sector is a major consumer, bothenergy and materials. Thus, the researchers suggest reducing the floor area per inhabitant by up to 20% compared to the reference. What limits the use of building materials, but also the energy needed for it heating the house. or update it.
Gain without having to wait for new technologies
The researchers also recommend using wood instead of Cement. Because using wood not only emits less carbon dioxide2 From the concrete industry, but in addition to wood carbon sequestration. Combined with a decrease in the surface area per inhabitant, the demand for wood should not increase.
Finally, widespread adoption of these measures will, by 2050, reduce the demand for them Solid Elementary to one-sixth of what it is today. demand in Builds to a quarter and so in copper to half.
On the other hand, increasing recycling, reusing parts, and prolonging durations The lifetime of the products, higher yields, or the use of lighter materials appear to provide modest savings in CO2 emissions2. Because recycling metal It is already well established and that extending recycling to other materials would be of less benefit. Adding life to products will only be worthwhile if it is really virtuous housing or cars.
But what is certain is that everything These tracks It can be explored now. Without the need to use any innovative or sophisticated technology. Gains – estimated at 20 to 50 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent2 (GtCO2e) for the residential sector with a ratio of 13 to 26 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide2e for the automotive sector – can be almost instant.
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