Table of Contents
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/T | 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), for our inventory so-called 'apllied emission factors' with following parameters:
- pollutant-specific emission factor, not corrected for soil moisture and silt content (kg of emitted pollutants/m² affected area/year),
- average affected area as product of number of buildings constructed multiplied with conversion factor (average affected area per building),
- duration of construction activity from default values (EMEP/EEA, 2023)3),
- specification of precipitation-evaporation index and soil silt content as constants,
- efficiency of emission control measures at the moment see FAQ below.
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 |
Trends in emissions
All trends in emissions as product of EF and AD correspond to trends of construction activities.
Notes on PCB emissions from old buildings are provided in chapter 2.K - Consumption of POPs and Heavy Metals of this report.
Recalculations
With all input data remaining unrevised, no recalculations were made compared to the previous submission.
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.