Greenhouse gas emissions from high-speed rail infrastructure construction in Korea

This study presents an estimation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions at the construction phase of a high-speed rail (HSR) line infrastructure from Osong to Gwangju (Korea), which became operational in 2015. The total GHG emissions were approximately 3.7 MtCO2-equivalents (CO2eq.), of which an approximately 92% originated from the use of materials, an indirect source. More specifically, this study quantified GHG emissions from construction modules covering earthworks, civil engineering activities (such as the construction of tunnels, viaducts, and bridges), railway tracks, passenger stations, and energy transmission and telecommunication systems for the entire HSR lines while identifying the key activity to each module. This study also includes an analytical study of dependency between GHG emissions and civil engineering works. Such an assessment initiative regarding GHG emissions generated from the construction of the HSR line infrastructure in Korea is the first on its own.