Building a Greener Future with Low-Carbon Glass

In the realm of building materials, glass has always been celebrated for its versatility and aesthetic appeal. However, it has recently ascended to new heights for its sustainability parameters.

This article delves into the key takeaways from a webinar hosted by Glass Academy, which celebrated the launch of low-carbon glass, a revolutionary product by Saint-Gobain. This innovative material blends tradition with state-of-the-art technology, significantly reducing its carbon footprint and underscoring the critical role of innovation in fostering a sustainable future. 

The webinar was led by Mr. Avinash Gowra, the Manager of Design and Residential Segment at Saint-Gobain Glass India. With over nine years of experience in the building materials industry and robust expertise in green-rated projects, Mr. Avinash spearheads design and sustainability initiatives at Saint-Gobain. His master’s degree in Structural Engineering and deep understanding of green certification processes have positioned him as a passionate advocate for sustainability in the built-environment, dedicated to making a positive environmental impact through innovative work.

Decarbonisation: A Moral Imperative

Mr. Avinash began by emphasising that decarbonizing is not merely a technical necessity but a moral imperative for the health of our planet. The alarming changes in our climate—rising temperatures, sudden floods, harsh summers, and severe droughts—are direct results of increasing greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide. The Paris Climate Agreement aims to limit global temperature rise to no more than 2°C by 2100, yet we are already at around 1.2 to 1.3°C. Without immediate action, temperatures could soar by 4 to 6°C, causing irreversible damage. Just as we reduce carbs for our health, we must urgently decarbonize to protect our planet for ourselves and future generations.

Understanding Carbon Footprint

A carbon footprint is essentially the amount of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide, emitted by an activity. This includes the production of a product, the construction of a building, or the transportation of goods over a certain period. For those in the building industry, understanding and reducing our carbon footprint is crucial. Nearly 39% of global carbon emissions come from the building sector, a staggering figure. With 67% of India still yet to be built, continuing current construction practices will lead to unsustainable and environmentally detrimental outcomes. By reducing our carbon footprint, we can make significant strides toward sustainability and a healthier planet.

Mr. Avinash outlined a three-step approach to achieving carbon neutrality:

1. Measure: Establish baselines by measuring the original carbon footprint.

2. Reduce: Use materials that reduce the operational footprint of buildings.

3. Substitute: Replace high carbon footprint sources with low footprint ones.

Types of Carbon Footprint

• Operational Carbon: Refers to emissions produced during the operation and use of a building over its lifetime, including energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation.
• Embodied Carbon: Encompasses emissions associated with the extraction, manufacturing, transportation, and construction of building materials throughout their life cycle.

In sustainable building design, the choice of glass significantly impacts energy efficiency and carbon footprint. Understanding key performance parameters of glass helps architects and clients enhance sustainability.

Key Performance Parameters of Glass

• Solar Factor (SF): Measures the direct heat from sunlight entering a building. A lower SF reduces air conditioning needs and energy consumption.
  
• U-Value: Indicates heat transfer through glass due to temperature differences. Lower U-values provide better insulation, stabilising indoor temperatures and reducing energy bills.
• Light Transmission: The amount of natural light passing through glass. Optimal light transmission reduces the need for artificial lighting and improves comfort without excessive heat gain.

High-performance glass can reduce cooling loads by up to 35%, significantly lowering energy needed for air conditioning and cutting operational carbon emissions. Beyond glass selection, passive design strategies play a crucial role in sustainability:

Shading Devices: Shading devices, such as awnings, louvres, and overhangs, are designed to block direct sunlight from entering a building’s interior. By reducing the amount of solar heat gain, these devices help lower indoor temperatures, thereby decreasing the need for air conditioning.

Building Orientation: The orientation of a building plays a pivotal role in its energy performance. By strategically positioning a building to maximise natural light while minimising heat gain, architects can create spaces that are both energy-efficient and comfortable.

Natural Ventilation: Incorporating natural ventilation into building design promotes airflow through the strategic placement of windows, vents, and other openings. This design strategy harnesses natural wind patterns to cool and ventilate indoor spaces without relying heavily on mechanical systems.

The Breakthrough of Low Carbon Glass

Saint-Gobain’s Oraé, India’s first low carbon glass, represents a big step forward in sustainable construction. Made with 70% recycled materials and produced using cleaner LNG (Liquid Natural Gas), Oraé offers the same quality, performance, and beauty as traditional glass while significantly cutting down on harmful emissions. A 6mm Oraé glass has an embodied carbon of 9.2 kg CO2e per square metre, which is 54% lower than that of conventional glass. This means using Oraé can lower a building’s facade embodied carbon by 30-40%. The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Oraé is currently being verified and will soon be available, confirming these impressive reductions in carbon emissions.

Low carbon glass, such as Saint-Gobain’s Oraé, plays a vital role in supporting the circular economy by utilising recycled materials and significantly reducing the construction carbon footprint without compromising performance. Available in various sizes and compatible with high-performance coatings, Oraé also reduces operational carbon. With a goal to be carbon neutral by 2050, in line with India’s pledge to achieve Net Zero by 2070, Saint-Gobain’s adoption of low carbon materials like Oraé is crucial. These efforts are validated by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), ensuring credible emission reduction measures.

Oraé is designed to be user-friendly, customizable in size, shape, and coatings to meet specific architectural needs without requiring special installation techniques. Despite being newly introduced, Oraé has already garnered significant interest from stakeholders. As building standards increasingly emphasise the reduction of embodied carbon, the demand for low carbon glass is expected to rise, marking a promising future for sustainable construction materials.

The webinar underscored the importance of decarbonizing the built environment and highlighted the role of innovative materials like Oraé in achieving sustainability goals. By embracing low-carbon glass and other sustainable materials, we can significantly reduce our environmental impact and pave the way for a greener future. The transition to low-carbon glass, such as Oraé, is not just a technical advancement but a crucial step towards a sustainable, eco-friendly future.

Webinar link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0dG8Ff1qWE&t=4s