Introduction

Climate change and global warming are increasingly urgent global challenges1. Following the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting warming to below 2 °C, many nations are actively working to reduce carbon emissions across all sectors. The building industry, a critical sector of economic development, plays a significant role in this effort. However, from material production and transportation to construction, operation, maintenance, and demolition, buildings contribute heavily to greenhouse gas emissions and global warming. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, the building sector accounts for 40% of global energy use and 38% of greenhouse gas emissions2, making it a major contributor to carbon output3.

Energy consumption and carbon emissions are present throughout the entire lifecycle (LCA) of a building4. Operational carbon (70%) and embodied carbon (30%) represent the two primary components of carbon emissions in a building’s lifecycle. Kang et al.5 defined operational carbon as CO2 emissions resulting from building operations, such as heating, cooling, and lighting, while embodied carbon refers to emissions linked to material production, transportation, construction, and demolition processes. Pomponi et al.6 noted that most researchers focus on reducing operational carbon through energy-saving strategies, yet Crawford7 underscored the significant role of embodied carbon in lifecycle emissions. Recent studies on embodied carbon have predominantly focused on material-related emissions8 (e.g., concrete9 and steel10) and emissions from prefabricated assembly processes11 (e.g., rebar cages12 and modular walls13).

Although construction-phase emissions represent a smaller proportion of a building’s embodied carbon, their impact is significant due to their concentrated and intense nature. In contrast to operational emissions, which are spread over 70 years, construction-phase emissions typically occur within 1–2 years. Advances in materials, energy systems, and equipment have facilitated the widespread adoption of emerging construction technologies. Jafarynasab et al.14 analyzed a high-rise building in Tehran, using material, transportation, and energy input data, and found that waste transportation accounted for 14% of construction-phase emissions—a reducible portion through waste minimization technologies. Similarly, Tabrizikahou et al.15 demonstrated that advanced waste reduction techniques for wood, concrete, and metal residues further mitigate emissions. Padilla-Rivera et al.16 quantified the carbon footprint of timber-framed residential buildings in Quebec, Canada, and found that prefabrication technologies reduce construction-phase emissions compared to conventional methods. Monahan et al.17 compared traditional and emerging construction techniques across two buildings and reported a 34% reduction in emissions with the use of emerging technologies. Renewable energy applications, which reduce fossil fuel and electricity consumption, also show considerable emission reduction potential18. These studies collectively confirm the carbon reduction capabilities of emerging construction-phase technologies. While existing research predominantly focuses on individual emerging technologies, comparative studies across multiple technologies remain scarce. This gap results in a lack of clear classification regarding the characteristics and applicable contexts of new technologies, hindering the development of informed technology selection strategies for the construction phase.

This study addresses this gap by systematically evaluating the carbon reduction potential of 25 emerging construction technologies. By calculating carbon emission coefficients and analyzing reduction pathways, the study compares and categorizes these technologies to clarify their characteristics and applicable contexts, thus facilitating technology selection. Additionally, a case study of a building project in Xinyang, China, quantifies emissions reductions achieved through the integrated application of multiple technologies, providing empirical evidence to support industry-wide adoption and inform policy decisions.

Materials and methods

New technologies in construction

With advancements in science and technology, the global construction industry is increasingly integrating innovative technologies, materials, processes, and methodologies to achieve comprehensive carbon reductions. In the context of construction-phase innovations, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) mandates in ISO 19,650: Building Information Modelling (BIM) Management that BIM models must include carbon emission data fields, allowing for seamless integration with IoT devices. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), through ASTM E1673: Standard Practice for Quality Control of Prefabricated Buildings, requires that prefabricated component production adopt digital quality traceability systems, thereby enhancing precision and fostering intelligent carbon management in construction. Similarly, the European Norm (EN) mandates the digital recording of welding parameters in EN 1090: Execution of Steel Structures and Aluminium Structures. In Singapore, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) incentivizes photovoltaic-integrated buildings with floor area ratio bonuses and requires rainwater systems to connect to smart water management platforms under its Green Mark Scheme, promoting clean energy and resource recycling technologies during construction. China’s GB 50,300–2013: Unified Standard for Constructional Quality Acceptance of Building Engineering also sets forth stringent requirements for green construction practices.

Through a systematic analysis of the emerging carbon-reduction technologies outlined in these standards, this study identifies 25 widely adopted and extensively implemented technologies for construction-phase carbon reduction (Table 1):

Table 1 Emerging technologies for construction-phase carbon reduction.
Full size table

It should be noted that, variations in building types (e.g., schools, residential buildings, gymnasiums), structural forms (e.g., masonry-concrete, reinforced concrete, steel structures), and project scales introduce substantial uncertainty in the selection and quantity of on-site construction techniques per square meter of GFA during the construction phase. To address this uncertainty, this study calculates carbon emission reductions based on the specific measurement units of each construction technique and incorporates the actual selection and consumption of these techniques within the project for computation.

However, the technologies listed in Table 1 cover diverse areas such as concrete, drilling, steel, formwork, water, electricity, and construction waste. Each material has distinct measurement units, making direct comparison of carbon reductions across technologies statistically insignificant. For instance, concrete is measured in 10 m3, steel in tons, formwork in 100 m2, water in m3, and electricity in kilowatt-hours (kW·h). To address this inconsistency in measurement units, a relative carbon reduction percentage is introduced to quantify the emission reduction benefits of each technology relative to its traditional counterpart.

Methods

Carbon emission boundary determination

Establishing an appropriate boundary is crucial for accurate carbon emission analysis, as it defines emission responsibility19. This study focuses on on-site carbon emissions during the construction phase, corresponding to Module A5 (Construction-Installation Process) as defined in ISO 21,930. This module includes all carbon emissions directly generated from activities where materials and components are assembled into the final building structure through on-site processing, installation, and other construction operations. The key input elements are materials and energy, while the primary output is construction waste:

  1. (1)

    Material-related carbon emissions arise from the consumption of gases such as CO2 and C2H2 during on-site processing activities like electroslag pressure welding and CO2-shielded welding. This calculation accounts only for direct carbon emissions from material leakage or combustion at the construction site, distinct from the embodied carbon generated during the initial production phase.

  2. (2)

    Energy-related carbon emissions stem from the electricity, gasoline, and diesel consumed by construction machinery (e.g., elevators, cranes, excavators, water pumps) and temporary site lighting and office operations.

  3. (3)

    Emissions from construction waste result from transporting discarded materials, such as steel rebar, formwork, and muck, to centralized treatment facilities. This includes emissions from equipment used for both vertical (e.g., elevators) and horizontal transport (e.g., trucks).

Carbon emissions during the on-site construction phase are calculated as follows:

$$E = Em + Ee + Ew$$
(1)

where E is the total carbon emission of the construction technology, Em is the carbon emission from material consumption, Ee is the carbon emission from equipment consumption, and Ew is the carbon emission from waste transportation.

Carbon emissions calculation

The formulas in this section are derived from the carbon emission calculation methodologies for Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) in Volume 3 of the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (2019 Refinement), as published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Carbon emission calculation from material consumption

Carbon emissions from material consumption in construction technology include those generated from water, electricity, CO₂ gas, acetylene gas, and other on-site materials. The formula is:

$$Em = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n} {mi*EFm,i}$$
(2)

In this equation, n represents the number of material types, mi denotes the consumption of each material i, and EFm,i is the carbon emission factor associated with material i. The types of materials consumed in the construction technology, along with their corresponding carbon emission factors, are provided in Online Appendix 1.

Carbon emission calculation from equipment use

Carbon emissions from equipment in construction technology primarily result from electricity or diesel consumption by various machines, such as concrete smoothers, welders, circular saws, cranes, and dump trucks. The formula is:

$$Ee = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n} {mi*Ci*EFe,i}$$
(3)

Here, n refers to the number of equipment types, mi is the consumption values for each piece of equipment i, Ci is the energy consumption coefficient for equipment i, and EFe,i is the carbon emission factor for the energy consumed by equipment i. Equipment types and their respective energy consumption levels are listed in Online Appendix 2, and the carbon emission factors for electricity and diesel are detailed in Online Appendix 1.

Carbon emission calculation from waste transportation

Waste transportation emissions are generated by moving waste materials—such as discarded formwork, channel steel, bolts, pipes, and support rods—from the construction site vertically to the ground and horizontally to recycling stations. The formula is:

$$Ew = \sum\limits_{i = 1}^{n} {mi*Vi*1.3*\left( {Hi*Ch*EFw,h + Si*Cs*EFw,s} \right)}$$
(4)

In this expression, n is the number of waste types, mi represents the output of waste i, and Vi is the volume coefficient for waste i. The constant 1.3 accounts for the waste compression factor. Hi is the vertical transportation distance for waste i, Ch is the energy coefficient for the vertical transport equipment, and EFw,h is the carbon emission factor for energy consumed during vertical transport. Si is the horizontal transportation distance for waste i, Cs represents the energy coefficient for the horizontal transport equipment, and EFw,s is the corresponding carbon emission factor. Online Appendix 3 details waste types and volume coefficients, while Online Appendices 1 and 2 list energy consumption and carbon emission factors.

Results & discussion

Analysis of carbon reduction pathways and classification

This study categorizes emerging construction-phase technologies into four groups based on their carbon reduction pathways:

  1. (1)

    High-strength and high-performance material technologies: These technologies reduce on-site material usage by enhancing material properties, thereby lowering construction-related carbon emissions.

  2. (2)

    Simplified construction process technologies: By integrating innovative materials and methods, these technologies streamline or eliminate traditional construction processes, reducing the need for equipment, minimizing material consumption, and curbing construction-related carbon emissions.

  3. (3)

    Renewable resources and waste reduction technologies: These technologies replace fossil fuels with renewable energy sources to lower grid electricity emissions, while waste recycling mitigates emissions associated with transportation and landfilling.

  4. (4)

    Prefabrication technologies: By transferring key processes (e.g., rebar tying, concrete pouring, component curing) to factory settings and shifting to on-site assembly, these technologies reduce energy-intensive operations and associated carbon emissions.

The findings, supported by calculated carbon reduction percentages (Fig. 1), reveal that renewable resources and waste reduction technologies offer the highest carbon reduction potential, achieving a 100% reduction in on-site emissions by utilizing clean energy sources such as solar energy and recycling zero-carbon materials like rainwater. Kang et al.20 also highlighted that advanced solar curtain wall systems can achieve significant carbon reductions. However, the implementation of these technologies requires additional devices for clean energy collection and waste regeneration, introducing supplementary embodied carbon emissions. Prefabrication technologies rank second, with concrete laminated floor technology showing a lower reduction rate, while other prefabrication technologies reduce emissions by over 90%. Bian et al.21 further confirmed the substantial carbon mitigation potential of prefabrication technologies throughout a building’s lifecycle. Simplified construction process technologies exhibit varying degrees of carbon reduction based on their specific impact on construction practices. Dou et al.22 also observed variations in the carbon reduction efficiency of different construction process simplification technologies in a decarbonization retrofit study of an office complex. Notably, high-strength bar straight-thread connection technology achieves the lowest carbon reduction at 47%, while one-time forming technology for concrete floors and no-plastering wall technology achieve 100% reductions at the construction site. Similar to renewable resources and waste reduction technologies, the 100% reduction in on-site emissions attributed to one-time forming technology for concrete floors and no-plastering wall technology is typically limited to the construction site. However, this achievement may inadvertently shift the carbon reduction burden upstream to companies involved in the prefabrication of floor slabs and wall panels, thereby increasing pressure on these enterprises to decarbonize. Despite this, the industrialized integrated prefabrication model still offers substantial carbon reduction advantages over traditional on-site construction methods. The factory environment enables highly efficient and precise manufacturing, minimizing material waste. Additionally, the controlled setting facilitates the implementation of stringent energy management practices and the adoption of more efficient technologies, resulting in lower carbon emissions during the production phase. The transfer of a significant portion of work from the unpredictable construction site to a controlled factory also leads to substantial reductions in construction duration, noise, dust, and on-site waste, further decreasing environmental impacts at the site. High-strength and high-performance material technologies exhibit the weakest carbon reduction effects, with the most effective technology reducing emissions by only 57%, while the others contribute reductions below 30%. These technologies do not directly reduce carbon-emitting activities or energy consumption during construction but minimize material usage on-site, resulting in indirect reductions in carbon emissions. Han et al.23 explored the carbon mitigation potential of high-performance concrete, demonstrating that enhanced concrete strength facilitates emission reduction by lowering material consumption.

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Full size image

Carbon reduction percentage of emerging construction-phase technologies. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

The analysis and categorization of carbon reduction pathways for emerging construction-phase technologies not only support the achievement of short-term emission reduction goals but also foster synergistic carbon mitigation through the integration of multiple technologies. For instance, combining prefabrication technologies (which reduce on-site operations) with renewable energy utilization (which minimizes fossil fuel consumption) significantly enhances overall carbon reduction across the construction phase. Additionally, pathway analysis provides insights into the scenarios in which different technologies are most applicable and highlights cost-effectiveness variations, offering valuable guidance for technology selection.

High-strength & high-performance material technologies

In this category, the enhanced strength or performance of materials reduces the quantity needed for components with comparable performance, thereby decreasing the workload during the construction phase. As a result, carbon emissions from material and equipment consumption on-site are reduced (Fig. 2). Research by Kim et al.24 indicated that the use of high-strength steel can reduce steel consumption and lower CO2 emissions from both steel production and component manufacturing. Similarly, studies by Cho et al.25 highlighted the benefits of high-strength reinforcing bars in reducing CO2 emissions. While research by Thilakarathna et al.26 showed that high-strength concrete generates more carbon emissions during production than conventional concrete, its use significantly reduces overall concrete consumption. The resulting carbon reduction from the reduced material volume is more substantial, effectively lowering the overall carbon footprint. Detailed calculation results are provided in Online Appendix 5.

Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Full size image

Carbon reduction percentage of high-strength & high-performance materials technologies. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Overall, HS-HPC technology achieves the most significant carbon emission reduction, while high-strength bar application technology results in the smallest reduction. Our analysis further reveals that as material strength increases, the relative carbon emission reductions of these technologies decrease, although the rate of reduction gradually slows. In the case of HS-HPC and high-strength steel technologies, the relationship between material strength and carbon emission reduction follows an inverse proportional function.

High-strength and high-performance concrete (HS-HPC) technology demonstrates that, for the same component volume, beam and plate elements generate more carbon emissions than foundations, columns, and walls. This is due to concrete’s compressive strength, which contrasts with its tensile weakness. Beams and plates experience both compressive stress at the top and tensile stress at the bottom, whereas foundations, columns, and walls are subject only to compression. Consequently, beams and plates require more stringent maintenance during concrete curing, leading to higher water consumption and increased carbon emissions during construction. Similarly, elements such as staircases and after-pour belts, which have larger surface areas relative to their volume, also incur greater carbon emissions due to increased water usage on-site. Gao et al.27 also found that the carbon reduction efficiency of high-strength and high-performance concrete varies significantly depending on its application to different building components. (Table 2).

Table 2 Carbon reduction of HS-HPC technology in different building components.
Full size table

For high-strength bar application technologies, bars with diameters between 10 and 25 mm generate more carbon emissions than both thinner bars (less than 10 mm in diameter) and thicker bars (ranging from 25–40 mm). Thinner bars can be manually connected through binding, while thicker bars are mechanically connected using bolts or sleeves, avoiding the energy-intensive welding process, and thus reducing carbon emissions. Chang et al.28 also highlighted in their study on the embodied carbon emissions of steel structures that rebar with diameters of 10–25 mm incurs 20–30% higher per-unit carbon emissions when welded compared to those connected mechanically.

In high-strength steel application technologies, as the size of a single steel structure increases, so does the carbon emission intensity. Larger structures require more lifting equipment, which in turn raises the carbon emissions associated with equipment use. Additionally, factories and warehouses, typically featuring larger steel structures than high-rise buildings, exhibit higher carbon emission intensities. Gao et al.27 also demonstrated that larger structural components require more energy for lifting, resulting in increased emissions during construction.

Simplified construction processes technologies

This category of technologies reduces or eliminates several processes commonly involved in traditional construction, such as bar bending, welding, electrode drying, mud wall protection, formwork removal, and waste transfer, all of which significantly contribute to carbon reduction (Fig. 3). Shi et al.8 employed Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology to construct a building construction framework, also demonstrating that streamlining construction processes can reduce average energy consumption during the construction phase, thereby achieving carbon emission reduction. Detailed calculations are provided in Online Appendix 6.

Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Full size image

Carbon reduction percentage of simplified construction processes technologies. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Regarding relative carbon emission reductions, high-strength bar straight thread connection technology replaces the traditional welding process with a low-energy bolt sleeve wire machine, thereby reducing electricity consumption and eliminating the need for acetylene gas, which results in lower carbon emissions. It was also observed that, while traditional welding technology shows minimal variation in carbon emissions across different bar diameters, the high-strength bar straight thread connection technology leads to a rapid increase in emissions as bar diameters grow. Similarly, mechanical anchorage technology for bars eliminates the welding process, further reducing carbon emissions. In traditional anchoring methods, medium-thickness bars (10–25 mm in diameter) require welding, while thinner and thicker bars do not undergo this process, mirroring the pattern seen with high-strength bar applications discussed in Sect. "High-strength & high-performance material technologies". Consequently, mechanical anchorage technology has a more significant carbon reduction effect on medium-thickness bars. Widjaja et al.29 also demonstrated in their sustainability study of rebar mechanical connectors that replacing traditional welding with mechanical connectors eliminates welding gas emissions, thereby reducing the carbon footprint. Their research also highlighted varying carbon reduction rates depending on rebar diameters when using mechanical connectors.

In long auger hole pressure pile technology, the auger replaces the traditional rotary drill, which, while not offering energy savings, eliminates the need for mud wall protection, significantly reducing the demand for mud pumps and, consequently, lowering carbon emissions. However, for pile diameters exceeding 800 mm, mud pump collaboration remains necessary, limiting the carbon reduction potential of this technology for larger piles. A comparative case study by Sandanayake et al.30 also revealed that long auger hole pressure pile technology reduces carbon emission intensity per unit area in foundation construction.

Combined aluminum alloy and ribbed plastic formwork technologies replace traditional composite formwork with reusable aluminum or plastic forms, thereby reducing waste generation and, in turn, carbon emissions from waste transportation. However, their carbon reduction effectiveness is less pronounced for beams and plates, which require additional support rods during construction, thus increasing waste production. Zhang et al.31, in their low-carbon design research on concrete beams, also emphasized that the use of recyclable formwork systems further reduces carbon emissions.

One-time forming technology for concrete floors eliminates the floor leveling process, while no-plastering wall technology removes the need for wall plastering, preventing the carbon emissions associated with these activities. Thus, these technologies achieve a 100% reduction in carbon emissions at the construction site compared to traditional floor and wall construction methods, as these processes are entirely eliminated during construction. However, this may inadvertently transfer the carbon reduction responsibility upstream to prefabrication enterprises, intensifying their need to decarbonize.

In summary, technologies such as high-strength bar straight thread connection, mechanical anchorage for bars, and long auger hole pressure pile technology exhibit varying carbon reduction outcomes based on material diameters. Combined aluminum alloy and ribbed plastic formwork technologies demonstrate consistent carbon reduction across different construction components. One-time forming technology for concrete floors and no-plastering wall technology eliminate entire construction processes, resulting in a 100% reduction in carbon emissions from these tasks.

Renewable resources & waste reduction technologies

The technologies in this category reduce carbon emissions associated with water supply consumption, waste transportation, and municipal power usage during the construction phase. Waste reduction eliminates the need for transportation, while the use of collected rainwater, solar energy, air energy, and other clean resources results in zero carbon emissions for all three technologies, yielding a relative carbon emission reduction of − 100% at the construction site. However, the implementation of these technologies requires additional infrastructure for clean energy collection and waste regeneration, introducing additional embodied carbon emissions. Similarly, research by Gu et al.32 highlighted that wastewater collection systems, while essential for urban life, significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. Studies by Ma et al.33 emphasized that advanced energy technologies, such as renewable energy, integrated energy systems, and hybrid AC/DC power supply, can quickly, intuitively, and quantitatively achieve emission reductions. Furthermore, Wang et al.34 suggested that minimizing construction waste is critical for reaching carbon peak and carbon neutrality in the construction industry. Specific carbon reductions are calculated based on actual reductions in construction waste, rainwater recovery, and electricity consumption during the construction phase (Fig. 4). Detailed calculations are provided in Online Appendix 7.

Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Full size image

Carbon reduction percentage of renewable resources & waste reduction technologies. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Prefabrication technologies

These technologies directly install prefabricated materials on-site, replacing traditional processes such as support, binding, and pouring. This shift significantly reduces equipment consumption and waste emissions, resulting in carbon reductions during construction (Fig. 5). Teng et al.35 noted that employing prefabrication in the construction phase offers several benefits, including enhanced efficiency, reduced waste, and lower carbon emissions, though the extent of carbon reduction varies with different prefabrication techniques. Han et al.36 supported the use of prefabricated components as a viable pathway for reducing the construction industry’s carbon footprint, observing that carbon emissions during construction tend to decrease slightly as the prefabrication rate increases. Liu et al.37 proposed a two-stage greenhouse gas emission optimization method based on the EGVM model to improve emission management during the construction phase, enhancing decision-making for prefabricated and modular construction projects. Detailed calculations are available in Online Appendix 8.

Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Full size image

Carbon reduction percentage of prefabrication technologies. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Among these technologies, the factory production and processing of prefabricated components fully replace the on-site production process for traditional prefabricated components, with installation occurring directly at the construction site, leading to a relative carbon emission reduction of − 100%. Similar to one-time forming technology for concrete floors and no-plastering wall technology, this approach reduces carbon emissions at the construction site through advanced prefabrication in factories while simultaneously increasing pressure on upstream enterprises to reduce their own carbon emissions. Steel structure residential technology replaces traditional cast-in-place concrete structures with steel, simplifying the construction process. Steel structure construction primarily involves welding and lifting, which is less energy-intensive than traditional concrete construction that requires support, welding, pouring, curing, and mold removal. Additionally, on-site welding and lifting of steel structures have lower carbon emission coefficients, significantly reducing carbon emissions during the construction phase.

However, due to substantial differences in the quantity calculations between steel structures and cast-in-place concrete structures, and the considerable influence of the structural scheme, there is notable uncertainty in calculating the relative carbon emissions for steel structure residential application technology. This study calculates only the sub-components of steel structure residential and traditional cast-in-place concrete structure applications, meaning the total carbon emission reduction for steel structure technology must be analyzed on a project-specific basis.

Overall, the 12 technologies in this category demonstrate strong carbon reduction effects, most exceeding 95%. This is largely because the carbon emissions from these technologies stem primarily from the on-site installation of molding materials, greatly reducing emissions from raw material processing and waste transportation in traditional construction. Among these technologies, concrete laminated floor technology still requires bar welding, which consumes substantial electricity and generates carbon emissions, resulting in a relatively low carbon emission reduction percentage of only 29%. In precast prestressed concrete member technology, the carbon emission reduction for hollow slab construction is lower than for beam and wall slab construction, at just 70%. This is because hollow slab construction requires more welding and plate seam support, leading to higher electricity consumption and waste generation. Similarly, Mo et al.38 found in their carbon emission assessment of an office building that adopting prefabrication technology reduced construction-phase emissions by approximately 60% compared to traditional on-site methods.

Emerging technology selection strategies

High-strength & high-performance material technologies

Designed for super high-rise buildings, long-span bridges, heavy-duty industrial plants, and public buildings with stringent seismic requirements. Examples include:

High-strength & high-performance concrete, which reduces column cross-sectional dimensions in core tubes and shear walls of super high-rises, increasing usable space while minimizing material usage and carbon emissions;

High-strength steel technology in long-span bridges, which reduces self-weight and enhances resistance to wind and seismic forces. Steel–concrete composite structures in cross-sea bridges further reduce material transport and construction energy demands;

High-strength bar technology in heavy-duty plants, which lowers reinforcement density and shortens installation time, reducing emissions during construction.

Simplified construction process technologies

Ideal for standardized residential buildings, urban complexes, and prefabricated construction projects. Examples include:

Combined aluminum alloy formwork technology, which eliminates plastering in standard residential floors, reducing template waste and labor;

High-strength bar straight thread connection technology, which replaces welding in high-rise office core tubes, reducing on-site energy consumption and exhaust emissions;

No-plastering wall technology, which eliminates wet processes, minimizing waste in commercial complexes;

Long auger hole pressure pile technology, which enhances efficiency in soft soil foundations, making it ideal for urban renewal projects with space limitations.

Renewable resources & waste reduction technologies

Critical for green-certified buildings, eco-parks, and water-sensitive regions. Examples include:

Building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems, which generate clean energy for airports and exhibition centers, reducing reliance on grid power;

Rainwater harvesting systems, which alleviate municipal water demand in schools and hospitals;

Construction waste recycling, which reduces transport distances and landfill pollution in urban renewal projects, supporting circular economy principles.

Prefabrication technologies

Optimal for modular housing, standardized factories, and rapid emergency facilities. Examples include:

Precast concrete components, which reduce energy consumption for on-site casting and formwork in batch housing projects;

Steel modular systems, which combine factory welding with on-site assembly, shortening construction timelines and reducing emissions;

Integrated prefabricated facades for skyscrapers, which minimize high-altitude risks and rework.

Comprehensive selection strategies

Aligning building functions, environmental constraints, and carbon reduction goals to maximize synergistic benefits. Examples include:

Urban Core Projects: Prioritize prefabrication and renewable technologies to reduce pollution and traffic disruption;

Ecologically Sensitive Zones: Focus on simplified processes and resource recycling to protect the environment;

Industrial/Infrastructure Projects: Combine high-strength materials and prefabrication to enhance durability and accelerate construction.

Case verification

Project situation

The Xinyang CAZ Double Innovation Industrial Park is located in Yangshan District, Xinyang, China, on the west side of Xinyang High-Speed Railway East Station, with convenient transportation conditions. The project covers an area of about 39,700 m2, with a total construction area of approximately 217,500 m2, and the construction period spans about 550 days (1.5 years). The project consists of Block A, Block B, an underground garage, and the S1# building. Block A has an above-ground construction area of 92,422 m2, 37 floors, and a building height of 180 m. Block B has an above-ground construction area of 51,110 m2, 27 floors, and a building height of 135 m. The underground garage has a construction area of 64,000 m2 over two underground floors (Fig. 6).

Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Full size image

Schematic Architectural Plan of Xinyang CAZ Double Innovation Industrial Park. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using AutoCAD 2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Eight of the 25 carbon-efficient technologies were applied in the project (Table 3).

Table 3 Application of emerging technologies in Xinyang CAZ Double Innovation Industrial Park Project.
Full size table

Carbon emissions during the construction phase

Based on carbon reduction calculations for individual projects and the practical implementation of technologies, this study demonstrates that these innovations can achieve a 28.49% reduction in construction-phase carbon emissions (149,827.6 kg), equivalent to the carbon sequestration of 9,080 trees over the same period (Fig. 7). Among these technologies, high-strength bar technology resulted in the largest reduction, accounting for 54.3%, due to its application across all bars in the project, unlike other technologies, which were selectively applied. The second-largest reduction, 26.6%, was attributed to construction waste reduction and resource utilization technologies, owing to the high carbon reduction coefficient of waste transportation. High-strength bar straight thread connection technology and no-plastering wall technology also made significant contributions, representing 10.9% and 5.0% of the reduction, respectively, due to their extensive application. HS-HPC technology, mechanical anchorage technology, aluminum alloy formwork technology, and solar and air energy utilization technologies produced smaller reductions, collectively contributing only 3.3% due to less frequent use and lower carbon reduction coefficients.

Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Full size image

Carbon reduction benefits of emerging technologies in Xinyang CAZ Double Innovation Industrial Park Project. (Drawn by Zhiping Liu, using Origin2024 and Adobe Photoshop 2023).

Conclusion

As a major contributor to global carbon emissions, the construction industry faces urgent decarbonization challenges throughout the building lifecycle. This study systematically assesses the carbon reduction potential of 25 emerging construction-phase technologies, highlighting significant variations in their emission reduction capabilities and pathways, thereby providing critical insights for technology selection:

  1. (1)

    Renewable Resources & Waste Reduction Technologies: These technologies achieve remarkable reduction in on-site carbon emissions by replacing fossil fuels with clean energy and eliminating off-site waste transportation, demonstrating the feasibility of full decarbonization. They are particularly well-suited for green-certified buildings, eco-parks, and water-sensitive projects.

  2. (2)

    Prefabrication Technologies: Emissions are reduced by over 90% through the transfer of on-site activities to controlled factory environments, showcasing their transformative potential in reshaping construction workflows. Ideal applications include modular housing, standardized factories, and rapid-deployment emergency facilities.

  3. (3)

    Simplified Construction Process Technologies: These technologies exhibit variable carbon reductions depending on the extent to which they eliminate energy-intensive processes such as formwork installation. They are best applied in standardized residential complexes, urban mixed-use developments, and prefabricated building auxiliary works.

  4. (4)

    High-strength & High-performance Material Technologies: These technologies offer limited carbon reductions (< 30%) by optimizing material quantities without addressing systemic energy or process inefficiencies. Their most effective applications are in supertall buildings, long-span bridges, heavy industrial plants, and seismically demanding public structures.

  5. (5)

    A real-world engineering case demonstrates that the integrated application of multiple technologies results in a 28.49% reduction in construction on-site carbon emissions, emphasizing the impact of strategic combinations of technologies.

The theoretical contribution of this study lies in the development of a “carbon reduction pathway—technology typology—reduction pathway” framework, which clarifies the prioritization of decarbonization technologies. In practical terms, it provides stakeholders with data-driven tools for decision-making, moving beyond vague sustainability goals. Policymakers can incentivize high-impact technologies through subsidies for emerging solutions and penalties for fossil fuel reliance, while enterprises must balance technology costs against emission reduction benefits, considering project-specific factors. However, several limitations of this study should be acknowledged. The analysis are orders of magnitude, which may vary from one project to another, and does not address critical challenges such as the scalability of emerging technologies, the logistical and carbon footprint implications of transporting prefabricated components across regions, or the varying effectiveness of policy instruments across different local governance contexts. Future research will focus on addressing these gaps, including full lifecycle cost assessments to evaluate scalability, the use of digital tools (e.g., BIM, AI) to optimize technology synergies and logistics, expanded dataset with greater variety to identify generalized principles governing technological interactions across diverse building typologies, and the evaluation of these technologies’ applicability and performance within diverse local policy frameworks.