Value Chain Mapping for the Construction Materials Industry

"Decarbonizing the building and construction industry, ""the built environment,"" is critical to aligning with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement. Due to numerous factors, including global population increases, the industry's growth and resulting impacts on emissions and resource depletion are increasing every year. The global construction materials industry's financial value was $1,320.01 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $1,867.16 billion by 2032. Significant environmental challenges accompany this growth. The building and construction sector contributes 37% of global emissions through the embodied carbon of materials extraction, manufacturing, on-site construction, and operational emissions from heating, cooling, and lighting (Abergel et al., 2019). Our research highlights critical materials, outlines seven stages of the material life cycle, identifies potential risks and impacts, and offers recommendations for a more just and sustainable future in the construction materials industry (Dsilva, 2023). This comprehensive approach aims to understand better the industry's current landscape and actionable insights for driving sustainable practices."