Carbon footprint of low-energy buildings in the United Kingdom: Effects of mitigating technological pathways and decarbonization strategies

• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163490
• Publication Date: 2023-04-15T14:47:15Z
• Authors: Masoud Norouzi; Assed N. Haddad; Laureano Jiménez; Siamak Hoseinzadeh; Dieter Boer
• Keywords: Carbon Footprint; Baseline (sea); Embodied Energy

There is a limited comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness adopted carbon mitigation strategies for buildings over their life cycle, that are concerned with temporal perspectives emissions. Accordingly, this paper explores cycle assessment (LCA) to address concerns regarding mitigating footprint UK timber-frame low-energy dwelling. In particular, it aims investigate potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in terms three different heating and ventilation options, analyze influence decarbonization electricity production as well technological progress waste treatment timber on building's environmental performance. Thus, whole life‑carbon building case studies was evaluated total eight investigated prospective scenarios, they were compared LCA results baseline scenario, where existing technology context remained constant time. Results show using compact heat pump would lead significant life-cycle dwelling, by 19 %; while GHG savings can be reinforced if assessed systems employed simultaneously grid decarbonization, exhibiting 25 %-60 % scenario. Moreover, changes treatments products could substantially reduce buildings' embodied emissions, representing 3 %-23 %. From these emission-saving measures, contribution material efficiency achieve more should highlighted future construction practices.