Nexus between Carbon and Waste in a Circular Built Environment: A Bibliometric Analysis

Authors

Navodana Rodrigo Dr, The University of AdelaideFollow
A.M.D.S. Atapattu, The University of AdelaideFollow

Abstract

The construction industry, being one of the key contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, generates approximately 39% of global carbon emissions. In line with the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and to accelerate the built environment sector towards a 1.5⁰C pathway, most countries have agreed to nationally determined contributions to achieve net zero targets by 2050. On the other hand, the traditional linear economic model focuses on take-make-dispose while circular economy emphasises the better use of resources by using closed loops of resource flows by recovering and preventing waste as much as possible. Therefore, decarbonising the overall construction industry and minimising excessive construction waste generation should be the ultimate goal. However, less emphasis has been given by the existing research on the link between carbon emission reduction and waste minimisation in the construction context. Hence, this research aims at exploring the existing scholarly knowledge on carbon and waste in a circular built environment to understand the trends and gaps in current research in this area. A bibliometric analysis was carried out to investigate the existing knowledge on carbon emissions and waste generation in the construction industry, specifically focusing on a circular economy. The data was extracted using the Web of Science (WoS) database and the bibliometric analysis was carried out using the VOSviewer software. The findings revealed that carbon emissions have been given less significance in circular economy research than waste minimisation in the construction industry. Eventually, this study provides a deeper understanding of the need for research on carbon-waste nexus for the successful transition to a circular built environment.

The paper will be presented:

In-person

Primary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Climate Action - - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Secondary U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

Responsible Consumption and Production - - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Primary CIB Task Group OR Working commission

TG124 – Net Zero Carbon Building Design and Construction Practices

Recommended Citation

Rodrigo, Navodana Dr and Atapattu, A.M.D.S. (2025) "Nexus between Carbon and Waste in a Circular Built Environment: A Bibliometric Analysis," CIB Conferences: Vol. 1 Article 250.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.7771/3067-4883.1841