| Title: |
The zero-emissions resource pool: construction materials compatible with a realistic view of delivering zero-emissions in the UK by 2050 |
| Authors: |
Taylor, Charlotte; Allwood, Julian M.; Watari, Takuma; Hawkins, Will |
| Publisher Information: |
Springer International Publishing |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository |
| Subject Terms: |
Construction materials; Decarbonisation; Zero-emissions infrastructure; Embodied carbon |
| Description: |
Acknowledgements: We thank Kelly Harrison for providing helpful comments on the early draft. ; Funder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000266 ; The construction sector faces the daunting task of meeting growing construction demand with a 'zero-emission resource pool'—materials that are compatible with a near-future zero-emissions economy. Most decarbonisation roadmaps and scenario analyses for the sector depend heavily on high-risk technologies such as carbon storage that have not yet been deployed at significant scale, or favour recycling whilst overlooking likely constraints from limited supplies of zero-emissions electricity. This paper therefore provides a first critical review of options to supply construction materials in the UK with realistic expectations about the availability of carbon storage, zero-emissions electricity and zero-emissions transport. The paper focuses on nine key construction materials—concrete, steel, aluminium, structural glass, timber, earth, stone, lime and straw. We conclude that the zero-emissions resource pool includes virgin bio-based materials, limited by the availability of productive land, virgin earth and stone, limited by local geology and transportation, recycled materials, limited by the availability of scrap and emission-free electricity, and reused components, limited by availability and refurbishment potential. This points to the need for a revision to the national construction strategy and a range of entrepreneurial opportunities in delivering the services of construction within a reduced material budget. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| File Description: |
text/xml; application/pdf |
| Language: |
English |
| Relation: |
171; https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/395202 |
| Availability: |
https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/395202 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.C7D9E68 |
| Database: |
BASE |