By Prince Ofosuhene GYIMAH
Infrastructure development is a cornerstone of economic growth, providing the foundation for trade, mobility, and social connectivity.
However, the construction and operation of infrastructure, particularly highways and roads, often come with significant environmental costs, including greenhouse gas emissions, resource depletion, and habitat destruction.
As the global community intensifies its focus on sustainability, the construction industry is increasingly turning to life-cycle assessment (LCA) principles to minimize environmental impacts across project lifecycles.
For Ghana, where infrastructure development is critical to achieving national development goals, adopting life-cycle thinking offers a pathway to building resilient and sustainable infrastructure while balancing economic and environmental priorities.
Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is a systematic approach that evaluates the environmental impacts of a product, process, or service throughout its entire lifecycle from raw material extraction and construction to operation, maintenance, and eventual decommissioning. Applying LCA principles, construction firms and investors can make informed decisions that reduce environmental footprints, optimize resource use, and enhance long-term sustainability.
In the context of highway and road infrastructure projects, LCA can help identify opportunities to minimize emissions, conserve materials, and reduce waste at every stage of the project lifecycle.
The construction phase of highways and roads is one of the most resource-intensive stages, accounting for a significant portion of a project environmental impact.
According to a 2020 study by the International Road Federation, road construction contributes approximately 30% of the total lifecycle emissions of a highway project, primarily due to the energy-intensive production of materials like cement, asphalt, and steel.
By adopting LCA principles, construction firms can explore alternative materials and methods that reduce emissions and resource consumption. For example, using recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) or supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) like fly ash can significantly lower the carbon footprint of road construction.
In Ghana, where road infrastructure is a priority, such innovations could reduce emissions while addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit.
The operational phase of highways and roads also presents opportunities for sustainability improvements. Roads generate emissions through vehicle use, maintenance activities, and lighting. LCA can guide decisions that enhance the efficiency and sustainability of road operations. Incorporating energy-efficient lighting systems, such as LED streetlights, can reduce energy consumption and operational costs. Similarly, designing roads to accommodate electric vehicles (EVs) and public transportation can promote low-carbon mobility. In Ghana, where urbanization and vehicle ownership are rapidly increasing, such measures could mitigate the environmental impact of road transport while supporting the country’s climate goals.
Maintenance is another critical aspect of the road lifecycle that can benefit from LCA. Traditional maintenance practices often involve frequent resurfacing and repairs, which consume resources and generate waste.
Applying LCA, construction firms can adopt predictive maintenance strategies that extend the lifespan of roads and reduce the need for resource-intensive interventions. The use of durable materials and advanced monitoring technologies can help identify and address issues before they escalate, minimizing environmental impacts and costs.
In Ghana, where maintenance budgets are often constrained, such strategies could improve the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of road infrastructure.
End-of-life considerations are equally important in life-cycle thinking. When roads reach the end of their useful life, decommissioning and disposal can generate significant waste and emissions. LCA can inform strategies for recycling and reusing materials, reducing the environmental impact of road decommissioning.
For instance, reclaimed asphalt pavement can be reused in new road projects, while concrete debris can be repurposed for construction fill or aggregate. In Ghana, where waste management infrastructure is still developing, such practices could reduce landfill use and promote a circular economy.
The benefits of life-cycle thinking extend beyond environmental sustainability to economic and social outcomes. By reducing resource consumption and waste, LCA can lower construction and maintenance costs, making infrastructure projects more financially viable.
Additionally, sustainable infrastructure can enhance resilience to climate change, reducing the risk of damage from extreme weather events and ensuring long-term functionality.
Despite its potential, the adoption of LCA in Ghana’s construction industry faces several challenges. These include limited awareness of LCA principles, a lack of technical expertise, and the perceived higher upfront costs of sustainable materials and technologies.
Addressing these barriers requires a concerted effort from government, industry, and academia. The government can play a key role by integrating LCA into infrastructure planning and procurement processes, while industry stakeholders can invest in capacity building and innovation. Academic institutions can support these efforts by conducting research and providing training on LCA methodologies.
In conclusion, life-cycle assessment offers a powerful framework for achieving sustainable infrastructure development in Ghana. By applying LCA principles, construction firms and investors can minimize the environmental impacts of highway and road projects while enhancing their economic and social benefits.
From reducing emissions during construction to promoting recycling at end-of-life, the opportunities for sustainability improvements are vast. As Ghana continues to invest in infrastructure to support its development goals, life-cycle thinking provides a pathway to building resilient, sustainable, and inclusive infrastructure that meets the needs of current and future generations.
Prince Ofosuhene Gyimah, PIEMA is a Sustainability and Environmental Practitioner with over six years of experience in Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry and a certified Practitioner Member of the Institute of Environment and Management Assessment, United Kingdom (UK). Gyimah also has profound knowledge of community and stakeholder engagement, corporate social responsibility, grievance management, and social impact assessment and management.
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