Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025)
Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Carbon Emissions from Road Reconstruction Methodologies in South Sudan, 2021–2026
Abstract
{ "background": "Road infrastructure reconstruction in fragile states presents significant environmental challenges, with carbon emissions from construction activities being a critical yet understudied aspect. The post-conflict context of South Sudan, characterised by urgent reconstruction needs and limited environmental governance, necessitates a rigorous assessment of the climate impacts of different engineering methodologies.", "purpose and objectives": "This study aims to quantify and compare the life cycle carbon emissions associated with conventional full-depth reclamation and a modified in-situ stabilisation technique for road reconstruction. The objective is to identify the methodology with the lower carbon footprint under local operational constraints.", "methodology": "A process-based Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted, following ISO 14040/44 standards, for two functionally equivalent road sections. System boundaries included material production, transport, on-site construction, and machinery use. Emissions were modelled using a linear regression framework: $Ei = \\beta0 + \\beta1 Mi + \\beta2 Ti + \\epsiloni$, where $Ei$ is total emissions, $Mi$ is material intensity, and $Ti$ is transport distance. Uncertainty was propagated using Monte Carlo simulation.", "findings": "The modified in-situ stabilisation technique yielded a mean reduction of 38% in embodied carbon per kilometre compared to conventional reclamation (95% confidence interval: 32% to 44%). This reduction was primarily driven by a 65% decrease in imported aggregate requirements, outweighing the increased emissions from stabiliser production and application.", "conclusion": "The modified in-situ methodology offers a substantially lower-carbon pathway for road reconstruction in this specific operational context, demonstrating that material sourcing and transport are the dominant factors in the project carbon footprint.", "recommendations": "Project planners and environmental regulators should prioritise specifications that minimise the transport of virgin materials and promote the use of locally available, stabilised in-situ materials. Further development of region-specific emission factors for construction materials is also recommended.", "key words": "Life Cycle Assessment,
Read the Full Article
The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.
How to Cite
Keywords
Research Snapshot
Desktop reading viewReferences
- Debela, N., Bridle, K., Mohammed, C., & McNeil, D. (2021). Enhancing the Role of Indigenous Institutions in Adaptation to Climate Change in Borana Pastoral and Agropastoral Systems, South Ethiopia. Handbook of Climate Change Management.
- Ngcamu, B.S. (2022). Climate change and disaster preparedness issues in Eastern Cape and Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Town and Regional Planning.
- Abubakar, I.R., Maniruzzaman, K.M., Dano, U.L., Alshihri, F.S., Alshammari, M.S., Ahmed, S.M., Al-Gehlani, W.A.G., & Alrawaf, T.I. (2022). Environmental Sustainability Impacts of Solid Waste Management Practices in the Global South. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
- Yasmin, T., Farrelly, M., Rogers, B., Krause, S., & Lynch, I. (2022). Hybrid and Multi-Level Adaptive Governance for Sustainable Urban Transformations in the Global South: A Secondary City Case Study. Frontiers in Water.
- Chen, L., Msigwa, G., Yang, M., Osman, A.I., Fawzy, S., Rooney, D.W., & Yap, P. (2022). Strategies to achieve a carbon neutral society: a review. Environmental Chemistry Letters.
- Mbwana, M., Ntali, M.A., & Ntali, Y.M. (2025). Living and responding to flood disaster: perspectives from informal settlements in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Local Environment.
- Ejoke, U.P., & Plessis, E.D.D. (2025). Hypertension and Well-Being of African Migrants in South Africa. Preprints.org.
- Ejoke, U.P., & Plessis, E.D.D. (2025). Hypertension and the Well-Being of African Migrants in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
- Mutangadura, J., & Rakgogo, T.J. (2025). Challenges of foreign language and migrant workers in South African courts. Discrimination and Access to Justice in Africa.
- Programme, U.N.E. (2024). 2023 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction: Beyond foundations - Mainstreaming sustainable solutions to cut emissions from the buildings sector. United Nations Environment Programme eBooks.
- Sachikonye, C., & Ramlogan, R. (2024). A meta-theory of ubuntu: Implications for responsible leadership in Africa. South African Journal of Business Management.
- Grobler, A., & Koen, W. (2024). Conceptualising Responsible Leadership in South Africa: An Interactive Qualitative Analysis. South African Journal of Business Management.
- Luhizo, S.B., & Ngatigwa, D.F.X. (2025). Audience Satisfaction Obtained from Listening to Religious Broadcasts of Radio Maria Tanzania. Indian Journal of Mass Communication and Journalism.
- Dube, K., & Nhamo, G. (2024). Tourism resilience and challenges in Limpopo, South Africa: A post-COVID-19 analysis. Development Southern Africa.
- Lutta, J., & Schoonjans, Y. (2025). Uncovering informal urbanisation process in the city of Dar es Salaam: tracing from the colonial regime. Planning Perspectives.
- Schartner, A., Shields, S., & Wang, Y. (2024). Voices From the Periphery: Lived Experiences of Women International Students From the Global South Studying at U.K. Universities. Comparative and International Education.
- Kimathi, F. (2024). Intra-African Migration Impact on Family Structure and Career A Self Study Inquiry from a Female Migrant in Southern Africa. The Diasporean II Perspectives from Beyond Southern Africa.
- Bostoen, K., Coutros, P.R., Doman, J.H., & Matonda, I. (2025). Rethinking the Bantu Expansion from South of the Congo Rainforest.
- Lucian, C., & Semindu, K. (2025). From Conflict to Resolution: Tackling Land Disputes in Kimara Stopover's Formalization Projects in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
- Dauseni, N., & Matumaini, J. (2025). City FM Radio and Stakeholder Engagement in School Development Projects in Dar es Salaam City Council, Tanzania. Greener Journal of Journalism, Advertisement and Mass Communication.