If you have any questions or comments about the content of this site, please contact Ross Maher, Think Brick Australia's Sustainability Manager and the author of the blog. Australian Clay Brick Industry Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
To understand and mitigate the environmental impact of buildings and occupying houses, Think Brick Australia has used a total Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to more accurately compare the advantages and disadvantages of different building materials.
The study used the four most preferred types of life cycle assessments to not only assesses the impact of a single brick and square metre of brick wall, but also includes the greenhouse gas emissions from a lived-in house. This provides a ’single-figure’ view of the carbon dioxide emitted from the manufacture, construction and use of Australian homes.
Below are links to the summary report, the full report, the thermal modelling for the operational emissions, a detailed description of the methodology, and some of the policy issues that arise based on the conclusions.
We encourage comments and discussion on any and all parts of the report; while there are still many areas for further research, this places a yard stick in the ground for both the Australian clay brick industry, the building products sector, and the residential built-environment.
It is hoped the comments and discussion can help guide some of the future ressearch, not only for the brick industry, but also other parts of the built-environment as well.
> Australian Clay Brick Industry LCA Summary Report
> Australian Clay Brick Industry LCA Report
> LCA Thermal Modelling Report
