Research on Low-Carbon Energy Buildings—2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

While the construction sector is not the only culprit of greenhouse gas emissions, it is largely responsible for a substantial amount of emissions released into the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector, apart from being related to energy needs, ensuring thermal comfort in residential premises, also result from the acquisition of raw materials, production of building materials, construction and the post-use phase, i.e., the demolition and disposal of structural elements of buildings. The use phase of a building is the phase in which the largest amounts of energy are consumed. Therefore, the greatest potential for energy savings is seen in this phase of a building's life, which can be achieved, for example, by improving energy efficiency and/or applying innovative solutions using renewable energy sources. The ecological and economic assessment of investments reducing the demand for energy is a way of communicating "good practices" to investors that generate economic and ecological benefits. Equally important in reducing this sector’s environmental impact are legal and economic instruments. The variety and effectiveness of the applied legal regulations and economic instruments are the subject of scientific discussion.

Green construction, not only understood literally, for example, through the prism of "green roofs or facades", but also through the use of thermal or acoustic insulation, contributes to improved housing conditions and meeting user expectations. Building residents are increasingly taking into account the principles of sustainable development in decision making; social expectations (the social aspect) in the field of sustainable construction are thus important considerations for developers.

This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the latest achievements related to sustainable construction in three aspects: economic, ecological and social.

Topics of interest for the publication include, but are not limited to the following:

• Low-carbon construction;
• Methods of assessing economic and ecological benefits;
• Use of renewable energy sources in construction;
• Zero-emission buildings;
• Effectiveness of legal and economic regulations used in construction;
• LCA implementation in generating resource and energy efficiency;
• Ecological solutions in the architecture and infrastructure of cities;
• Environmental revitalization of cities.

Dr. Janusz Adamczyk
Dr. Robert Dylewski
Guest Editors

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