Indirect Consumption: Manpower and Construction Materials

Abstract

This chapter analyses the impact sources that consume resources indirectly, that is, the impact is caused not by the source, but by its components. For this study, we focus on two of these components: manpower and material consumption, both of great importance in the EF calculation.

First, the manpower consumption is studied by focusing on the most determinant aspects of its impact: food and mobility. The transformation of these consumptions into EF values is performed by previously documented processes which are adapted to the specific characteristics of the building sector. Second, the EF associated to the consumption of construction materials is evaluated during the building execution process; which takes into account the energy consumption deriving from the manufacture, transport and installation of each of the materials used in the construction of buildings.

Keywords: Absorption factor, Construction materials, Conversion factors, Dwelling construction, Ecological footprint, Electricity, Embodied energy, Emission factor, Forest productivity, Fuel productivity factor, Manpower, Mobility, Natural productivity, Productive land, Water consumption.