GHG Emissions and Removals in Construction: From Framework to Standardization

AI Quick Summary

Carbon removals in construction lack clear rules for ownership and accounting, leading to uncertainty for manufacturers and building owners. Building on an existing team with strong partners, this project develops and tests a framework for attribution and reporting of GHG removals. Through pilot cases and regulatory engagement, we create actionable, standards-aligned guidance to support the compliant and scalable integration of carbon sinks into construction practices. GHG Emissions and Removals in Construction: From Framework to StandardizationBrief introduction of the ideaWe aim to standardize how GHG removals are accounted for in construction by testing and refining a framework that defines ownership, claims, and reporting of carbon sequestration, aligned with standards like SIA 390/1 and EN 15804.What challenge in the circular building and construction industry does your idea address? (max. 50 words)There is currently no consistent method to attribute and report carbon removals in construction products and buildings. This creates uncertainty for stakeholders and hinders the integration of carbon-storing materials into buildings and circular business models.What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)We envision a clear and standardized framework that enables the construction industry to confidently account for GHG removals and issue claims or credits. Our approach combines two currently separate accounting practices: (1) life cycle assessments for buildings and products and (2) CO₂ certificates on voluntary markets. This integration is both innovative and necessary for reconciling regulatory and market requirements.Our solution builds on findings from our ongoing project, in which we are developing key recommendations. Now, we aim to test and finalize the framework in practice, align it with existing norms (SIA 390/1, EN 15804) and co-develop guidance with regulatory bodies such as SIA and KBOB. Stakeholders across the value chain will benefit—from manufacturers and planners to certification platforms and building owners—by being able to transparently report, trade, or claim carbon removals without double-counting. This will incentivize the use of carbon-storing construction materials and support decarbonization pathways in the built environment.How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or economy in the future? (e.g., circularity, reducing waste, improving health, creating opportunities) (max. 100 words)Our framework enables the effective use of carbon-storing building materials like mineralized concrete and biochar. By providing clarity on how to claim and report these removals, the project supports circular business models, reduces the sector’s carbon footprint, and creates new value streams through CO₂ certificates or insetting. It can also serve as a foundation for future regulation.What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What do you plan to work on during the booster program, and what is your goal to deliver at the end? (e.g., feasibility testing, prototype development, testing desirability) (max. 200 words)We want to test if our accounting framework can be applied consistently across real construction products while meeting both regulatory and voluntary market requirements. Key assumptions include: – Attribution of removals can be aligned with ownership models in construction. – Integration of removals into LCAs and/or CO₂ credits is feasible without double counting. – Market actors are willing to adopt the framework if it provides legal and technical clarity.During the booster program, we will: – Pilot the framework with implementation partners from across the carbon removal value chain. – Run stakeholder workshops with manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and crediting platforms. – Finalize recommendations and create a joint position paper on GHG removals in construction. Our main deliverable is a validated, ready-to-use guidance for attributing and reporting carbon removals in construction.Has your idea been tested before? If yes, what were the results, and what remains to be tested? (max. 100 words)Yes, the concept was developed in a previous CDR booster round, resulting in draft recommendations on accounting and attribution. These showed that integration of GHG removals is technically possible but raised questions about tracking, ownership, and reporting rules. What remains to be tested is the practical implementation in real projects, especially to align both regulatory LCAs and voluntary CO₂ credit schemes.Who is in your team, and what expertise or roles do they bring? (max. 150 words)The core team is led by Florian Robineck (CEO, conspark GmbH), with expertise in sustainability consulting and circular construction. Our implementation partners — Logbau AG, neustark AG, zirkulit AG, First Climate (Switzerland) AG and Carbonfuture AG — represent key players across the entire CDR supply chain, from sustainable building materials and carbon storage technologies to carbon tracking, certification, and climate solutions. Their expertise ensures practical application and alignment with industry needs. Additionally, we leverage our broad network, including SIA and other regulatory bodies, to ensure the framework aligns with relevant standards and industry requirements.We are collaborating with ALCA Group at Empa, building on synergies with the new NEST unit “Beyond Zero” and the “Mining the Atmosphere” initiative to ensure alignment with current research on carbon removal in construction.How do you plan to secure the 10% third-party funding required? (max. 100 words)We plan to cover the 10% contribution support from our implementation partners.

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: GHG Emissions and Removals in Construction: From Framework to Standardization
• Date: 4/7/2025 3:03:37 PM
• Administrators:
  • Florian Robineck

Project Idea Description

GHG Emissions and Removals in Construction: From Framework to Standardization

Brief introduction of the idea

We aim to standardize how GHG removals are accounted for in construction by testing and refining a framework that defines ownership, claims, and reporting of carbon sequestration, aligned with standards like SIA 390/1 and EN 15804.

What challenge in the circular building and construction industry does your idea address? (max. 50 words)

There is currently no consistent method to attribute and report carbon removals in construction products and buildings. This creates uncertainty for stakeholders and hinders the integration of carbon-storing materials into buildings and circular business models.

What is your vision for solving this challenge, and why is your approach innovative? Who will benefit from a solution to this problem? (max. 200 words)

We envision a clear and standardized framework that enables the construction industry to confidently account for GHG removals and issue claims or credits. Our approach combines two currently separate accounting practices: (1) life cycle assessments for buildings and products and (2) CO₂ certificates on voluntary markets. This integration is both innovative and necessary for reconciling regulatory and market requirements.Our solution builds on findings from our ongoing project, in which we are developing key recommendations. Now, we aim to test and finalize the framework in practice, align it with existing norms (SIA 390/1, EN 15804) and co-develop guidance with regulatory bodies such as SIA and KBOB. Stakeholders across the value chain will benefit—from manufacturers and planners to certification platforms and building owners—by being able to transparently report, trade, or claim carbon removals without double-counting. This will incentivize the use of carbon-storing construction materials and support decarbonization pathways in the built environment.

How could your idea positively impact the planet, people, or economy in the future? (e.g., circularity, reducing waste, improving health, creating opportunities) (max. 100 words)

Our framework enables the effective use of carbon-storing building materials like mineralized concrete and biochar. By providing clarity on how to claim and report these removals, the project supports circular business models, reduces the sector’s carbon footprint, and creates new value streams through CO₂ certificates or insetting. It can also serve as a foundation for future regulation.

What assumptions or ideas do you want to test? What do you plan to work on during the booster program, and what is your goal to deliver at the end? (e.g., feasibility testing, prototype development, testing desirability) (max. 200 words)

We want to test if our accounting framework can be applied consistently across real construction products while meeting both regulatory and voluntary market requirements. Key assumptions include:

– Attribution of removals can be aligned with ownership models in construction.

– Integration of removals into LCAs and/or CO₂ credits is feasible without double counting.

– Market actors are willing to adopt the framework if it provides legal and technical clarity.

During the booster program, we will:

– Pilot the framework with implementation partners from across the carbon removal value chain.

– Run stakeholder workshops with manufacturers, regulatory bodies, and crediting platforms.

– Finalize recommendations and create a joint position paper on GHG removals in construction. Our main deliverable is a validated, ready-to-use guidance for attributing and reporting carbon removals in construction.

Has your idea been tested before? If yes, what were the results, and what remains to be tested? (max. 100 words)

Yes, the concept was developed in a previous CDR booster round, resulting in draft recommendations on accounting and attribution. These showed that integration of GHG removals is technically possible but raised questions about tracking, ownership, and reporting rules. What remains to be tested is the practical implementation in real projects, especially to align both regulatory LCAs and voluntary CO₂ credit schemes.

Who is in your team, and what expertise or roles do they bring? (max. 150 words)

The core team is led by Florian Robineck (CEO, conspark GmbH), with expertise in sustainability consulting and circular construction. Our implementation partners — Logbau AG, neustark AG, zirkulit AG, First Climate (Switzerland) AG and Carbonfuture AG — represent key players across the entire CDR supply chain, from sustainable building materials and carbon storage technologies to carbon tracking, certification, and climate solutions. Their expertise ensures practical application and alignment with industry needs. Additionally, we leverage our broad network, including SIA and other regulatory bodies, to ensure the framework aligns with relevant standards and industry requirements.

We are collaborating with ALCA Group at Empa, building on synergies with the new NEST unit “Beyond Zero” and the “Mining the Atmosphere” initiative to ensure alignment with current research on carbon removal in construction.

How do you plan to secure the 10% third-party funding required? (max. 100 words)

We plan to cover the 10% contribution support from our implementation partners.

Carbon removals in construction lack clear rules for ownership and accounting, leading to uncertainty for manufacturers and building owners. Building on an existing team with strong partners, this project develops and tests a framework for attribution and reporting of GHG removals. Through pilot cases and regulatory engagement, we create actionable, standards-aligned guidance to support the compliant and scalable integration of carbon sinks into construction practices.