What is stopping low-carbon buildings? A global review of enablers and barriers

Mata, Érika; Peñaloza, Diego; Sandkvist, Filip; Nyberg, Theo

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2021.102261

Cited by 34 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 148 publications

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“…There is a need to also study decarbonization for other building types (commercial, industrial, institutional, etc.) where decarbonization efforts are less advanced compared to residential efforts [135].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review

2022

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This work aims to characterize how home energy upgrade projects and programs in the US have evolved over the past decade. It also identifies what changes are needed to drive expansion of the US energy retrofit market in such a way that addresses carbon emissions from buildings, improves resilience and upgrades the housing stock. This review focuses on whole-home energy upgrades, targeting deep energy retrofit savings of >30%. The topics we cover include trends in home electrification, US and European home energy upgrade programs, energy upgrade measure costs, business economics, and health effects. Key changes in project design noted in this review include: (1) the electrification of dwellings with rapidly improving heat pump systems and low-cost solar photovoltaic technology; and (2) a shift away from high-cost building envelope strategies and towards more traditional home performance/weatherization envelope upgrades. Promising program design strategies covered include: (1) end-use electrification programs; (2) novel financing approaches; (3) the use of carbon-based program and project metrics; and (4) “one-stop shop” programs. Based on the existing market barriers, we suggest that the industry should adopt new project performance metrics. Additionally, market drivers are needed to spur widespread energy upgrades in the US housing stock. Costs must be reduced, and projects designed to appeal to homeowners and contractors.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review

2022

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“…Accordingly, it is evident through the blue coloured lines th reported the constraints related to financial level, policy/regulatory le level, and knowledge. The number of reported constraints is also high for t Many of these constraints show interdependencies and interrelati each other [28]. A clear identification and analysis of these interdependenc straints would be beneficial for relevant stakeholders to determine effect overcome the constraints [29].…”

Section: Constraints To Delivering Lcbs and Strategies To Accelerate ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Accelerating the Delivery of Low-Carbon Buildings by Addressing Common Constraints: Perspectives from High-Rise, High-Density Cities

2023

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The delivery of low-carbon buildings (LCBs) in high-rise, high-density cities is still hindered by various common and interdependent constraints. However, a study that developed innovative strategies to address the common constraints to delivering LCBs focusing on traditional high-rise, high-density cities could not be identified in the previous literature. Therefore, this study aimed to identify potential strategies for accelerating the delivery of LCBs in high-rise, high-density cities by addressing relevant common constraints that were identified in recent studies. Accordingly, potentially relevant strategies were identified through eight semi-structured interviews with well-experienced experts in industry and academia. Consequently, 71 strategies were identified under six categories, i.e., policy implementation, building energy/carbon data utilisation, awareness raising/training, technology advancement, incentives, and organisational level commitments. This also required closer collaboration with different stakeholders/stakeholder classes in implementing these strategies, who were, therefore, also identified. An SNA-based analysis was also conducted to explore the connections between constraints and strategies. The strategies related to energy/carbon policy development, standardisation, codes and certifications, mandatory regulations, financial incentives, and technology adoption showed the ability to address a majority of the driving constraints related to policies and technologies. These study findings will assist policymakers and other relevant stakeholders in the arena of the project and asset management in accelerating the delivery of LCBs by adopting an innovative approach to prioritise potential strategies in order to suitably address and synergise the complex interdependencies among the constraints.

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“…Understanding these constraints is crucial to enhance the acceptance of NZEBs (Ohene et al 2022a). Economic viability has been identified as a key obstacle (Catto 2008, Persson andGrönkvist 2015), especially the high initial cost compared to conventional structures (Catto 2008, Pan andPan 2021), and the investments needed for net-zero construction methods (Singh et al 2019, Mata et al 2021. Commercial viability is crucial for NZEB desirability but is particularly difficult in developing economies (Ohene et al 2022c).…”

Section: Economic Barriersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Net zero emission buildings: a review of academic literature and national roadmaps

Þórólfsdóttir,

Árnadóttir,

Heinonen

2023

Environ. Res.: Infrastruct. Sustain.

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Addressing the growing issue of climate change demands active measures. With its significant carbon footprint, the building industry needs to make immediate efforts contributing to achieving the Paris Agreement’s objective of restricting global warming to 1.5 °C. This review focuses on net zero emission buildings (NZEBs) which are claimed to offer a viable option to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the built environment. The review covers both the recent academic literature on NZEBs, and the NZEB roadmaps from the member organizations of the World Green Building Council, focusing on those Green Building Councils actively working to implement NZEBs in their local contexts. By synthesizing a broad range of viewpoints and practices derived from academic literature and roadmaps, this review provides a holistic overview of the different perspectives to the current state of NZEBs and to their future. The review shows that NZEBs have the potential to provide significant environmental, economic, and social advantages, improving the built environment’s overall sustainability. The review also promotes a more thorough understanding over NZEBs that can facilitate collaborative policymaking and action amongst stakeholders.

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What is stopping low-carbon buildings? A global review of enablers and barriers

Cited by 34 publications

References 148 publications

Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review

Home Energy Upgrades as a Pathway to Home Decarbonization in the US: A Literature Review

Accelerating the Delivery of Low-Carbon Buildings by Addressing Common Constraints: Perspectives from High-Rise, High-Density Cities

Net zero emission buildings: a review of academic literature and national roadmaps

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