The article deals with the relationship between the carbon footprint from the production of building materials and the total costs of transport constructions. It emphasizes that the reduction of CO2 it can go hand in hand with cost savings already in the preparation phase of the construction itself. The carbon footprint is presented here as a potential evaluation criterion for selecting a contractor.
The author, a designer of transport structures with experience in the Czech Republic and Great Britain, works in the Strategy Department of the Directorate of Roads and Highways s.p. as a program and coordination worker, is a promoter of uniform openBIM data standards and a conservative supporter of a friendly approach to the environment.
The aim of the article is to open a professional discussion on whether an evaluation criterion in the form of a carbon footprint can be systematically incorporated into public procurement. The "careful procurement" approach is fully in accordance with Act No. 134/2016 Coll., on the awarding of public contracts, which in §116 paragraph 2 letter d) allows environmental aspects and life cycle costs to be taken into account, including greenhouse gas emissions.
A number of suppliers are already developing materials with a lower carbon footprint, introducing optimized technologies, digital tools or renewable energy sources and investing in the modernization of outdated production equipment. They often take these steps without significant motivation from the state or public contractors.
The article therefore calls for reflection on whether the carbon footprint could be firmly anchored among the evaluation criteria of public contracts with the aim of reducing not only emissions but also the total costs of construction. The key to success already lies in the preparation and design phase.
Keywords: "carbon footprint", "cost reduction", "transport infrastructure", "bridges"
Can the reduction of CO₂ on transport structures save the cost of building them?
This article examines the link between the carbon footprint from construction materials and the overall costs of transport infrastructure. It highlights the correlation between reducing CO₂ emissions and lowering costs already in the design and construction phases. CO₂ is presented as a potential evaluation criterion in public procurement.
The article calls for professional discussion on including CO₂ equivalents as a standard evaluation factor in public tenders—alongside cost and time. This approach aligns with §116 of Act No. 134/2016 Coll. on Public Procurement, which allows life-cycle costs, including greenhouse gas emissions, to be considered.
Suppliers are already developing low-carbon materials and investing in digital tools, renewable energy, and process optimization—often without direct incentives from the state or public clients. The goal is to encourage debate on integrating CO₂ as a tender criterion to achieve both lower emissions and reduced overall construction costs, starting from the project preparation stage.
Keywords: carbon footprint, infrastructure construction, cost reduction, green procurement, bridges
Citation: Fulka, Z.: Can the reduction of CO₂ in transport structures save the costs of their construction? Road Review 86, Number 12, 2025. https://doi.org/10.64720/SO.2025.12.ZF01
