Analysing methodological choices in calculations of embodied energy and GHG emissions from buildings

• Published in: Energy and buildings 2018-01, Vol.158, p.1487-1498
• Main Authors: Rasmussen, Freja Nygaard, Malmqvist, Tove, Moncaster, Alice, Wiberg, Aoife Houlihan, Birgisdóttir, Harpa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Buildings; Case studies; Embodied energy; Embodied GHG emissions; Emissions; Emissions control; EN15978 standard; Energy; Gas emissions; GHG emission; Green buildings; Greenhouse effect; Greenhouse gases; Intelligent buildings; Life cycle; Life cycle assessment; Life Cycle Assessment (LCA); Life cycles; Methodological choices; Sustainable building; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 0378-7788; 1872-6178; 1872-6178
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.11.013

•Methodological choices profoundly influences numerical results of embodied energy and GHG emissions of buildings.•Each step in the assessment practice contains methodological choices of relevance to results.•A systematic overview of the methodological issues of concern ensures informed use of existing and new studies. The importance of embodied energy and embodied greenhouse gas emissions (EEG) from buildings is gaining increased interest within building sector initiatives and on a regulatory level. In spite of recent harmonisation efforts, reported results of EEG from building case studies display large variations in numerical results due to variations in the chosen indicators, data sources and both temporal and physical boundaries. The aim of this paper is to add value to existing EEG research knowledge by systematically explaining and analysing the methodological implications of the quantitative results obtained, thus providing a framework for reinterpretation and more effective comparison. The collection of over 80 international case studies developed within the International Energy Agency’s EBC Annex 57 research programme is used as the quantitative foundation to present a comprehensive analysis of the multiple interacting methodological parameters. The analysis of methodological parameters is structured by the stepwise methodological choices made in the building EEG assessment practice. Each of six assessment process steps involves one or more methodological choices relevant to the EEG results, and the combination potentials between these many parameters signifies a multitude of ways in which the outcome of EEG studies are affected.