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2.A.5.b - Construction and Demolition
Short description
| Category Code | Method | AD | EF |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.A.5.b | T1/T2 | NS | CS |
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| NOx | NMVOC | SO2 | NH3 | PM2.5 | PM10 | TSP | BC | CO | Heavy Metals | POPs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NA | NA | NA | NA | -/- | L/- | L/- | NA | NA | NA | NA |
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Regarding particle emissions, construction is the second-largest emissions source within NFR 2.A - Mineral industries.
Methodology
Since the last update of the EMEP/EEA air pollutant emission inventory guidebook, a tier1 method is applied to estimate particulate matter emissions. However, this tier1 method is applied with various adaptations to national conditions improving it to a rather higher tier, perhaps T1/T2.
The approach for uncontrolled fugitive emissions from 2.A.5.b was adapted for national circumstances within a research project by Kampffmeyer & Visschedijk (2016) 1), partly considering existing emission-control technologies. As a result, statistical information is combined with modified default emission factors for TSP and PM.
Activity data
Activity data are determined taking into account figures for various construction activities and based on national production statistics.
AD is a result of multiplying the number of houses constructed and a conversion factor.
According to the method applied, figures of area of land affected by construction activities per building were concluded from statistical data and multiplied with emission factors, as explained below.
Emission factors
The emission factors used are results of the adaptation of EMEP/EEA Guidebook defaults (EMEP/EEA, 2023) 2).
Table 1: Overview of apllied emission factors, in [kg/m2 * y], for roads in [tons/km2 * y]
| type of building | pollutant | EF value | EF trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| single and two-family houses | TSP | 0.0638 | constant over time |
| PM10 | 0.0191 | constant over time | |
| PM2.5 | 0.0019 | constant over time | |
| apartment buildings | TSP | 0.329 | constant over time |
| PM10 | 0.099 | constant over time | |
| PM2.5 | 0.0099 | constant over time | |
| non-residential | TSP | 0.631 | constant over time |
| PM10 | 0.189 | constant over time | |
| PM2.5 | 0.0189 | constant over time | |
| roads | TSP | 1,674 | constant over time |
| PM10 | 502 | constant over time | |
| PM2.5 | 50.2 | constant over time |
However, further assumptions were necessary in order to calculate:
For example, the emission factors are adapted with correction factors of (i) 0.20 for the moisture level and (ii) 2.22 for the silt content.
The assumption about the duration of the construction activity uses default values from (EMEP/EEA, 2023)3):
Table 2: default duration of different construction activities, in years [y]
| Type of building | estimated duration | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction of houses (single and two family) | 0.5 (6 months) | ||
| Construction of apartments (all types) | 0.75 (9 months) | ||
| Non-residential construction | 0.83 (10 months) | ||
| Road construction | 1 (12 months) |
Trends in emissions
All trends in emissions as product of EF and AD correspond to trends of construction activities.
Note for all: small change for 2023
Notes on PCB emissions from old buildings are provided in chapter 2.K - Consumption of POPs and Heavy Metals of this report.
Recalculations
Recalculations were necessary due to improvements for most recently years (2020-2022): a new data gapfilling method for construction of roads.
For pollutant-specific information on recalculated emission estimates for Base Year and 2022, please see the recalculation tables following chapter 9.1 - Recalculations.
Planned improvements
At the moment, no category-specific improvements are planned.
FAQs
Where can I find emissions estimation of demolition activities? - Demolishing without any significant new construction is not covered and there are no other emission factors available for demolition activities only. Nevertheless you can find Information about emissions from 5.E.2 - Other Waste: Building Fires.
Why do German EFs differ from EEA defaults? - It has to do with the default 50% reduction for non-residential buildings and roads (as a result of wetting unpaved temporary roads) that is assumed in the calculations for Germany. This is also already accounted for in the EPA emission factors. It is a result of a control measure that is nearly always taken but in principle optional. In the Guidebook a 50% reduction is advised.