Operational vs. embodied emissions in buildings—A review of current trends

Ibn‐Mohammed, Taofeeq; Greenough, Richard; Taylor, Simon; Ozawa-Meida, Leticia; Acquaye, Adolf

doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.026

Cited by 434 publications

(209 citation statements)

References 35 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

182

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Non-academic studies have also arrived at comparable estimates [12,19]. However, many of these studies have suffered from a number of crude assumptions [17]. Common simplifications include the omission of emissions from on-site activity, personnel transport, material transport and material wastage.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Both of these concluded that operational emissions are the dominant component and thus warrant the principal attention of policy makers. However, the means by which embodied emissions are computed remains a subject of much debate [17]. Owing to the poor granularity of data currently gathered for the UK's territorial and consumption-based emissions accounts 1 , it remains exceptionally difficult to swiftly and accurately distinguish the true embodied impacts of the construction sector.…”

Section: Previous Estimates and Their Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies based around Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methods have found the ratio of embodied to operational emissions varies considerably by structure type and from project to project [17]. Academic studies have most frequently found operational emissions to constitute 70-80% of life cycle emissions associated with a variety of structures [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A study of homes built in recent years found embodied emissions now typically make up 31-42% of total life cycle emissions [21]. New regulations and increasing construction activity are expected to continue this trend towards increasing embodied emissions and reduced operational emissions [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction

Giesekam

Barrett

Taylor

et al. 2014

Energy and Buildings

144

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The UK construction industry faces the daunting task of replacing and extending a significant proportion of UK infrastructure, meeting a growing housing shortage and retrofitting millions of homes whilst achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions compatible with the UK's legally binding target of an 80% reduction by 2050. This paper presents a detailed time series of embodied GHG emissions from the construction sector for 1997-2011. This data is used to demonstrate that strategies which focus solely on improving operational performance of buildings and the production efficiencies of domestic material producers will be insufficient to meet sector emission reduction targets.Reductions in the order of 80% will require a substantial decline in the use of materials with carbon-intensive supply chains. A variety of alternative materials, technologies and practices are available and the common barriers to their use are presented based upon an extensive literature survey. Key gaps in qualitative research, data and modelling approaches are also identified. Subsequent discussion highlights the lack of client and regulatory drivers for uptake of alternatives and the ineffective allocation of responsibility for emissions reduction within the industry. Only by addressing and overcoming all these challenges in combination can the construction sector achieve drastic emissions reduction.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Previous Estimates and Their Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction

Giesekam

Barrett

Taylor

et al. 2014

Energy and Buildings

144

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Selection of papers was carried out using the following criteria : 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 3 (1) it had to address and assess energy-related figures associated with DSF, either related to DSF while in use -i.e. the operational energy -or the embodied energy, that is related to all lifecycle stages other than the operation phase [1,[27][28][29] 1 ; (2) with respect to operational energy, it had to present a base case against which the results could be compared in order to understand the comparative performance of DSFs, to enable to assess variations in the energy increment or reduction; (3) it had to refer to, or be set in, moderate or temperate climates, considered as where there is a distinct demand for heating in winter and cooling in summer; (4) it had to be published within the last 20 years.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy performance of Double-Skin Façades in temperate climates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Pomponi

Piroozfar

Southall

et al. 2016

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

116

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Double Skin Façades (DSFs) are applied in both new and existing buildings, especially in temperate climates. Research in this area is steadily growing; however, there is a lack of conclusive results in available literature about energy performances related to the DSF, thus limiting a better and more informed application of this technology in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. This paper systematically reviews more than 50 articles which have dealt with the energy related performance of DSFs in temperate climates and provide a meta-analysis of the numerical findings published in the studies examined. Energy related figures are presented separately for embodied and operational energy. Specifically, the operational energy end-uses taken into account are heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Numerical results in the literature are normalised and expressed in form of percentage of maximum energy reduction/increment compared to a base case (e.g. a single skin case) used as a reference in the corresponding studies. Such an approach is meant to provide a reliable comparison of published figures. Key façade parameters (DSF spatial configurations, cavity width and ventilation), building parameters (orientation and climatic areas) and the methodological approaches used in the reviewed studies were deployed as clustering criteria. Several clustering criteria present extremely spread values, indicating the necessity to further investigate, understand, and attempt to reduce such high discrepancies in operational energy performances. Additionally, and more importantly, almost no information exists on DSFs life cycle energy figures, highlighting an important gap that requires further research.Suggested Reviewers: Mohamad Kiani PhD Principal Sustainability Consultant, Baily Garner LLP mohamadrezakiani@gmail.com Dr Kiani has extensive experience in sustainability in the construction industry. Additionally, his PhD thesis dealt with the environmental impacts of glazed facades which is a part of the review paper here submitted. AbstractDouble Skin Façades (DSFs) are applied in both new and existing buildings, especially in temperate climates. Research in this area is steadily growing; however, there is a lack of conclusive results in available literature about energy performances related to the DSF, thus limiting a better and more informed application of this technology in the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) sector. This paper systematically reviews more than 50 articles which have dealt with the energy related performance of DSFs in temperate climates and provide a meta-analysis of the numerical findings published in the studies examined. Energy related figures are presented separately for embodied and operational energy. Specifically, the operational energy end-uses taken into account are heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. Numerical results in the literature are normalised and expressed in form of percentage of maximum energy reduction/increment compared to a ba...

show abstract

The Role of Carbon in Sustainable Development

Perera

Victoria

2017

Future Challenges in Evaluating and Managing Sustainable Development in the Built Environment

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Operational vs. embodied emissions in buildings—A review of current trends

Cited by 434 publications

References 35 publications

The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction

The greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options for materials used in UK construction

Energy performance of Double-Skin Façades in temperate climates: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Role of Carbon in Sustainable Development

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About