Strategies for Retaining the Environmental Value of Roof Windows
Authors
Mansa, Andreas Klinkby ; Justmi, Kristian Raaholdt
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2024
Submitted on
2024-06-06
Pages
80
Abstract
The building industry has a large climate and resource footprint. To meet the European Green Deal’s goals, it must shift from linear practices (take–make–discard) to a circular economy that keeps materials in use. Today, circular economy (CE) approaches to construction and demolition waste (C&DW) are limited, leaving significant room for improvement. This thesis explores how VELUX can develop more circular business models for roof windows after their first service life. Currently, the focus is mainly on improving energy performance during use, while the embedded CO2 equivalents (CO2e) in existing products—the emissions already ‘spent’ to make them—are often overlooked. As a result, valuable materials and their associated climate costs are wasted when products are discarded unnecessarily. A broader life cycle perspective is needed to identify the options with the lowest overall environmental impact. The study finds that additional circular initiatives are feasible within VELUX’s current business model. To identify barriers and opportunities, the network around VELUX roof windows was analyzed using two lenses: carbon lock-in (how existing technologies, investments, and rules can lock systems into high-emission pathways) and Actor–Network Theory (mapping how companies, customers, suppliers, regulations, and products influence each other). Based on this, five design concepts grounded in CE principles were developed as more sustainable alternatives to the current model. These concepts were evaluated with life cycle assessment (LCA) to generate practical insights intended to raise interest, engage relevant actors, and potentially support integration into VELUX’s operations.
Byggebranchen har et stort klima- og ressourceaftryk. For at nå EU’s Green Deal-mål er der behov for at gå fra lineære praksisser (tage–producere–smide ud) til cirkulær økonomi, hvor materialer holdes i kredsløb. I dag udnyttes potentialet for cirkulær økonomi i bygge- og nedrivningsaffald (C&DW) kun i begrænset omfang, hvilket efterlader et stort forbedringsrum. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvordan VELUX kan udvikle mere cirkulære forretningsmodeller for tagvinduer efter deres første brugslevetid. I dag er der et snævert fokus på at forbedre energibalancen under brug, mens de indlejrede CO2-ækvivalenter (CO2e) i eksisterende produkter – dvs. de udledninger, der allerede er brugt på at fremstille dem – ofte overses. Det betyder, at værdifulde materialer og den tilhørende klimabelastning går tabt, når produkter kasseres unødigt. En bredere livscyklustilgang er nødvendig for at finde de løsninger, der samlet set har lavest miljøpåvirkning. Afhandlingen viser, at flere cirkulære tiltag kan indføres inden for VELUX’ nuværende forretningsmodel. For at identificere barrierer og muligheder er netværket omkring VELUX-tagvinduer analyseret med to teoretiske briller: carbon lock-in (hvordan eksisterende teknologier, investeringer og regler kan fastholde systemer i klimabelastende løsninger) og aktør-netværksteori (en kortlægning af, hvordan virksomheder, kunder, leverandører, regler og produkter påvirker hinanden). På den baggrund er der udviklet fem designkoncepter baseret på principper for cirkulær økonomi, som tilbyder mere bæredygtige alternativer end den nuværende forretningsmodel. Koncepterne er vurderet med livscyklusvurdering (LCA) for at give konkrete indsigter, der kan skabe interesse, engagere relevante aktører og på sigt muliggøre integration i VELUX’ drift.
[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]
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