What CO2 is and why it matters for construction, infrastructure and transport
Construction firms, contractors and hauliers are increasingly asked to supply CO2 figures. Per project, per trip or per client contract. But what is CO2, really? Where does it come from and why is it a problem? And how do you measure it reliably? We explain it in this article.
What is CO2?
CO2 is short for carbon dioxide. It is a colourless and odourless gas that occurs naturally in the air around us. You cannot see it or smell it. The air we breathe already contains small amounts of CO2 by nature.
CO2 is not harmful in itself. It is an essential part of life on earth. Plants and trees need it to grow. Through photosynthesis they convert CO2 into oxygen and carbon. No CO2 means no plants, and no plants means no oxygen.
How is CO2 produced?
CO2 is released when materials containing carbon are burned. Fossil fuels such as diesel, petrol and natural gas contain carbon. When they burn in an engine, that carbon reacts with oxygen from the air and forms CO2.
CO2 is also released naturally. Through the breathing of humans and animals, but also through forest fires or volcanic eruptions. However, the CO2 released by burning fossil fuels is additional. That additional emission is the main cause of the rise in CO2 in the atmosphere. In construction, infrastructure and transport the same applies: every vehicle or machine that runs on fossil fuel emits CO2. From a truck to an excavator or a generator.
Is CO2 toxic?
At normal concentrations CO2 is not toxic. At very high concentrations in an enclosed space it can become dangerous. In the open air this is not a real risk. The danger of CO2 lies not in direct toxicity, but in its long-term climate effect.
What effect does CO2 have on the climate?
CO2 is a greenhouse gas. It traps heat in the atmosphere that would otherwise escape into space. A certain amount of greenhouse gases is necessary. Without them, the average temperature on earth would be around 33 degrees lower than it is now.
The problem arises when the balance is disturbed. In the past the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere was more or less stable. What was released through natural processes was also reabsorbed by forests and oceans. But because of the burning of fossil fuels, the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is rising. Nature cannot fully absorb that surplus.
The result is an enhanced greenhouse effect: the earth is warming. This leads to rising sea levels, more extreme weather, drying out of land and loss of biodiversity.
Is CO2 broken down by nature?
Yes, but not fast enough. Trees and plants absorb CO2 and convert it into oxygen and carbon. Oceans also play a role. At present, humans emit so much CO2 that nature cannot keep up. The surplus stays in the atmosphere and strengthens the greenhouse effect.
Why is CO2 relevant for construction, infrastructure and transport?
CO2 emission is not only a climate issue. It is also a business issue. Clients, contracting authorities and permit issuers increasingly ask for substantiated CO2 figures per project.
The CO2 Prestatieladder (the Dutch CO2 Performance Ladder) is a concrete example of this. Companies that make their emissions transparent and can demonstrate them have a stronger position in tenders. Those who reach higher ambition levels gain a notional award advantage. On large construction and infrastructure projects that advantage can run into substantial amounts.
In addition, large clients increasingly ask for CO2 data from their contractors and hauliers for their own reporting obligations. Consider the CSRD, under which companies are required to report on the supply-chain emissions of their suppliers.
How do you measure CO2 in construction and transport?
The data is already in the vehicles and machines. Fuel consumption, operating hours and kilometres are recorded by the on-board computer. The step many companies still miss is the automatic conversion of that operational data into reliable CO2 figures per project and period.
Flowter takes that step automatically. The calculation method converts the data from vehicles and machines into CO2 per project location and period. GPS-Buddy has had its IT controls relating to the emission and reporting methodology independently assessed within an ISAE 3000 assurance engagement, carried out in collaboration between TÜV NORD Nederland and its partner Diggle BV. The report can be exported in PDF, XLSX or CSV and shared directly with an auditor, client or permit issuer.
Want to know more about emission reporting in Flowter?
This article describes the situation in the Netherlands. For the most up-to-date laws and regulations, consult the relevant authorities. Situations can change. No rights can be derived from this article.