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Calculation tools for sustainability in construction

The European construction sector has a significant environmental impact, consuming over half of extracted natural resources and contributing 37% of total CO2 emissions. While energy efficiency measures reduce operational emissions, they often increase embodied carbon in materials. The CASCO project (Carbon Sink Constructions) aims to establish an ecosystem in the Flanders-Netherlands border region to scale up the use of local and natural building materials. One of the issues the project aims to address is the need for a clear and “easy” way to calculate the environmental impact of a material, a construction process and a building. In the Netherlands sustainability of buildings is quantified through the “milieuprestatie gebouwen” (MPG), a system where the impact of products used, documented in o.a. “environmental product declarations” (EPD’s), are brought together to calculate the overall impact of a building. Belgium uses a similar but different method.
Startdatum 01 September 2025
Solliciteren voor 22 August 2025
Ervaring Graduation internship
Locatie Breda
Solliciteren

Assignment description

You assignment will be to get familiar with the system of sustainability calculation tools used in construction and to research the differences between the Dutch, Belgian and European methods. Where does the difference lay, in the impact categories, weighting factor or somewhere else? Is it possible to translate the results from one tool to fit the other? How significant is the difference between the tools for biobased buildings?

Your project will consist of (at least) the following activities:

  • Literature study on the different Dutch and Belgian tools and methods for calculating building products impacts and building impacts.
  • Analytical work
  • Case studies using Belgian and Dutch tools to calculate the environmental impact of biobased materials/buildings.
  • Writing a final report about your project and your results.

General information

The student who will execute the assignment gets a fee of €350,- per month.

Desirable skills/qualities of the student

  • The student should be able to carry out independent research and project management.
  • A background in environmental sciences or (building) engineering with an interest on LCA’s and analytical work is preferable.
  • HBO or university students are preferred.
  • Strong command of the English language.
Meer informatie? Neem contact op met:

Annine Rozema

Mail adk.rozema@avans.nl Telefoon 0654627485 Solliciteer direct

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