ABSTRACT
Global economic recovery promises an upward trend in construction sector growth. Some estimates suggest that the global construction sector will grow between 3% and 5% annually for the next decade, primarily driven by a steep increase in construction activities in emerging economies. While construction activities are integral to economic development, they also bear a profound impact on the physical environment. Within the overall construction sector, the building subsector is especially notable since buildings account for 40% of CO2 emissions (Environmental Information Administration 2008) and 40% of raw material consumption (Roodmen and Lenssen 1995).
