Environmental modelling of building stocks – An integrated review of life cycle-based assessment models to support EU policy making. (November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Röck, Martin; Baldereschi, Elena; Verellen, Evelien; Passer, Alexander; Sala, Serenella; Allacker, Karen
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 151(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Subjects: Life cycle assessment (LCA) -- Built environment -- Spatial and temporal dynamics -- Scenario analysis -- Environmental impacts -- Embodied impacts -- Embodied carbon -- Material flow analysis -- Mitigation -- Adaptation -- Life cycle analysis -- Environmental policy -- Policy support -- European green deal -- Renovation wave -- Energy retrofit -- Systematic literature review; AP Acidification potential -- ADP Abiotic depletion potential -- BIM Building information modelling -- BIPV Building integrated photovoltaics -- BSA Building stock aggregation -- EC European Commission -- EF Environmental footprint -- EP Eutrophication potential -- EPBD Energy performance of buildings directive -- EPC Energy performance certificate -- ESL Estimated service life -- EU European union -- GHG Greenhouse gas (emissions) -- GIS Geographical information systems -- GWP Global warming potential -- ILCD International reference life cycle data system -- IPCC Intergovernmental panel on climate change -- LCA Life cycle assessment -- LCI Life cycle inventory -- LCIA Life cycle impact assessment -- MFA Material flow analysis -- MFH Multi-family house -- ODP Ozone depletion potential -- PEF Product environmental footprint -- POCP Photochemical ozone creation potential -- RSP Reference study period -- SDG Sustainable development goal -- SFH Single family house -- SLR Systematic literature review; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Various environmental challenges, particularly the rising severity of the impacts of climate change, require a systematic shift in and decarbonization of the global economy. Due to their high environmental impacts, buildings and construction have a special role in decarbonization. Environmental modelling of building stock dynamics can help policy makers and inform decision making. This study presents a systematic review of both the latest scientific literature on environmental modelling of building stocks and related EU policy initiatives. Our findings illuminate the strengths and limitations of existing approaches as well as the potential of such modelling and the required directions for future development to provide effective policy support. Based on the assessment of 104 scientific papers, our study shortlisted and analysed 22 environmental building stock modelling approaches. While promising, these show various limitations on their effectiveness in supporting decarbonization efforts while avoiding burden shifting. Future building stock models should offer extended system boundaries and comprehensive life cycle assessment, improved hotspot analysis and impact monitoring across spatiotemporal scales. A long-term perspective on the entire building stock covering climate and other environmental impacts is needed, as outlined in the latest standards. By linking existing studies to related EU policy objectives, we identify various studies that investigate scenarios and strategies relevant to EU policy makers and highlight research gaps. Future research should enable comprehensive environmental assessment of building stocks across scales and emphasize the monitoring of multiple environmental impacts of building stock development to ensure compliance with environmental targets and minimization of trade-offs. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Integrated review of EU policy documents and latest approaches for environmental modelling of building stocks. We analyse scope, methods, tools and data to find existing studies mostly focus on housing stock and on short to medium time horizons. Existing studies are limited in the number of archetypes, as well as coverage of building parts, life cycle stages and environmental indicators. The scope and level of detail of existing models hence require elaboration to effectively support EU policy for decarbonization of building operation and construction. Future research is particularly needed on environmental hotspot analysis and monitoring of impacts across time and space.