A Rapid Literature Review of Environmental Performance of Offsite Building Construction Industry

Abstract

The construction industry consumes about 36% of the total energy and releases up to 39% of global CO₂. If no appropriate measures are taken, the figure may double in the next two decades. Therefore, the construction sector is considering several measures to mitigate carbon emissions. In this regard, modular and panelized construction, which is collectively called offsite construction (OSC), is steadily gaining momentum. Several studies demonstrate that life cycle assessment (LCA) is a practical tool for evaluating the performance of OSC in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Although a reasonable number of previous studies on OSC exist in the context of Canada, only a few apply LCA based on actual case studies. Realizing this fact, a collaborative research team from Concordia University, the University of Alberta, and NRC is undertaking an ongoing research project with the goal of decarbonization of the construction industry through OSC. As a foundation of this large ongoing research project, this study aims to review LCA related studies focusing on actual case studies in the context of OSC.