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Operational vs. Embodied Emissions in Buildings — A Review of Current Trends

Ibn-Mohammed, Taofeeq, Greenough, Rick, Taylor, S., Ozawa-Meida, Leticia, Acquaye, Adolf (2013) Operational vs. Embodied Emissions in Buildings — A Review of Current Trends. Energy and Buildings, 66 . pp. 232-245. ISSN 0378-7788. (doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.026) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:35210)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.026

Abstract

Global awareness of environmental impacts such as climate change and depletion of ozone layer has increased significantly in the last few years and the implication for emissions reductions in buildings are widely acknowledged. The goal, therefore, is to design and construct buildings with minimum environmental impacts. Lifecycle emissions resulting from buildings consist of two components: operational and embodied emissions. A great deal of effort has been put into reducing the former as it is assumed that it is higher than the latter. However, studies have revealed the growing significance of embodied emissions in buildings but its importance is often underestimated in lifecycle emissions analysis. This paper takes a retrospective approach to critically review the relationship between embodied and operational emissions over the lifecycle of buildings. This is done to highlight and demonstrate the increasing proportion of embodied emissions that is one consequence of efforts to decrease operational emissions. The paper draws on a wide array of issues, including complications concerning embodied emissions computation and also discusses the benefits that come with its consideration. The implication of neglecting embodied emissions and the need for an urgent policy framework within the current climate of energy and climate change policies are also discussed.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2013.07.026
Uncontrolled keywords: Buildings; Climate change; Environment; Embodied and operational emissions; Policy instruments
Subjects: H Social Sciences
H Social Sciences > HA Statistics > HA33 Management Science
Divisions: Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Kent Business School (do not use)
Divisions > Kent Business School - Division > Department of Leadership and Management
Depositing User: Catherine Norman
Date Deposited: 16 Sep 2013 13:06 UTC
Last Modified: 19 Sep 2023 15:04 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/35210 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

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