Engineering analysis of greenhouse gas emissions in construction-related heavy lifting systems: Mechanical demand, energy conversion, and operational optimization

Abstract

Heavy lifting operations rely mainly on diesel-powered equipment under high mechanical loads and substantial energy demand, making them essential for large-scale infrastructure and industrial projects. However, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emission structure of mobile and crawler cranes remains insufficiently characterized in the engineering literature. This study assesses GHG emissions through an organizational-level case study of a crane fleet operating in Morocco, using internationally recognized carbon accounting frameworks and operational data including fuel, electricity, procurement, and logistics. Emissions were calculated using standardized emission factors, with uncertainty evaluated via quadratic error propagation. This study provides a real-data, engineering-based carbon footprint assessment linking emissions to physical energy drivers. It identifies mitigation levers including optimization of lifting geometry, improved operational cycle management, and enhanced system efficiency. The theoretical contribution lies in linking emissions to mechanical and energy drivers, while the practical contribution provides actionable reduction strategies for diesel-based lifting operations. The results show total emissions of 53.09 tCO₂e, strongly dominated by Scope 1 emissions (62.59%) from diesel combustion. Scope 3 contributes 37.32%, mainly from purchased goods and upstream activities, while Scope 2 is negligible (0.09%). Emissions are primarily governed by mechanical load demand, diesel–hydraulic efficiency, and equipment configuration and utilization patterns. Scenario analysis further shows that operational improvements can reduce emissions by ∼9% (lifting radius reduction), ∼10% (idling reduction), and ∼15% (efficiency improvement), confirming the effectiveness of the proposed levers. Overall, the findings improve understanding of emission mechanisms in heavy lifting and support targeted carbon reduction strategies.