The Applicability of carbon emission estimation with BIM environment: Sri Lankan context

Abstract

The global construction industry is increasingly adopting sustainable practices and advanced technologies to enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impacts. Within this context, managing carbon emissions has emerged as a critical component of sustainable development, with Building Information Modelling (BIM) serving as a pivotal tool in this pursuit. While developed countries have already integrated BIM and carbon emission estimates, there is a notable opportunity for similar advancements in developing countries, potentially leading to significant progress within the industry. Hence, this paper aims to explore the applicability of implementing BIM for carbon emission estimations in the Sri Lankan construction industry. A comprehensive review of existing literature identified the importance of carbon emission simulations, BIM implementation strategies and estimation procedures in other countries. Further, this research involved a survey to assess the familiarity and experience levels of construction professionals with BIM tools for carbon emission estimations in Sri Lanka. Findings from the research point to Autodesk Insight as the primary software tool used within the industry. While the industry demonstrates an awareness of these processes, its progress is hampered by a lack of experience in using these technologies for carbon emission estimation scenarios and the absence of crucial databases such as Environmental Product Declarations. The study recommends enhancing industry capacity through targeted training and the adoption of advanced tools. It also encourages further research to assess the compatibility of BIM technologies in the local context, aiming to bridge the gap and drive sustainable transformation in Sri Lanka’s construction sector.