Greenhouse gas emission reduction potential in road tunnels – Can we reach the European Union goals with existing materials and technologies?

Abstract

To achieve the European Uniońs climate goals, the Norwegian transport sector has committed to decrease the Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030. For infrastructure projects, the GHG emissions from construction must be reduced by 40 %, while the emissions from maintenance must be cut by 50%. This paper investigates how realistic the GHG emission reduction goals are, if available low carbon materials and technologies are fully adopted. To examine this, we have chosen a typical Norwegian road tunnel from which two carbon emission scenarios are presented. While tunnels represent a specific subset of road infrastructure, this study showcases that implementing sustainable practices in drill and blast tunnel construction can align with the European Union’s ambitious 2030 targets. Besides this, the findings can assist stakeholders to get advice on the environmental impacts of tunnel designs.