Topic Editors

Department of Infrastructure Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and IT Engineering Block C, Building 174, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
Advanced Protective Technologies for Engineering Structures(APTES) Group, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
Dr. M. Reza Hosseini
Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia

Decarbonising the Building Industry

Abstract submission deadline
1 July 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
1 September 2025
Viewed by
1390

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The "Decarbonising the Building Industry" Topic aims to address the urgent need for sustainable practices in the construction and operation of buildings, which are significant contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Decarbonising the built environment emerges as a pivotal step in mitigating climate change impacts as the world edges closer to critical environmental thresholds. This Topic collection seeks to encapsulate cutting-edge research, innovative technologies, and practical strategies propelling the construction and urban development sectors towards a greener, more sustainable trajectory. This multidisciplinary exploration covers various aspects, including advancements in building materials, energy efficiency, renewable energy integration, and policy frameworks. Contributions from academia, industry professionals, and policymakers will provide comprehensive perspectives on transforming the building industry to achieve a low-carbon future. Sub Topics:

Low-Carbon Materials:

  • Development of sustainable building materials;
  • Carbon footprint reduction in concrete and steel production;

Innovative use of recycled materials in construction. Energy-Efficient Building Practices:

  • Advanced building insulation technologies;
  • High-performance windows and glazing systems;
  • Energy-efficient HVAC systems.

Construction Processes and Technologies:

  • Prefabricated and modular construction methods;
  • Digital twin technology in construction management;
  • Robotics and automation in construction.

Operational Emission Reduction:

  • Smart building management systems;
  • Energy monitoring and management solutions;
  • Retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency.

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks:

  • Government policies supporting low-carbon building practices;
  • Incentives for sustainable construction;
  • International standards and certifications for green buildings.

Socio-Economic Impact:

  • Cost-benefit analysis of sustainable building practices;
  • Job creation in the green construction sector;
  • Social equity in the transition to sustainable buildings.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA):

  • Comprehensive LCA of building materials and processes;
  • Environmental impact assessment tools and methodologies;
  • Case studies on the life cycle performance of sustainable buildings.

By bringing together the insights of academics, industry professionals, and policymakers, this Topic aims to foster a collaborative approach to tackling one of the most pressing challenges of our era. As we collectively navigate towards a net-zero future, the articles presented here offer a blueprint for innovation, illustrating the potential pathways and collaborative efforts required to transform the built environment into a pillar of sustainability and resilience.

Dr. Behzad Rismanchi
Prof. Dr. Tuan Ngo
Dr. Alireza Kashani
Dr. Aliakbar Gholampour
Dr. M. Reza Hosseini
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • low-carbon building materials
  • energy-efficient construction
  • sustainable building practices
  • life cycle assessment
  • smart buildings
  • prefabricated construction
  • policy and regulation
  • green construction technologies
  • socio-economic impact
  • sustainable urban development

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Energies
energies
3.0 6.2 2008 16.8 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Sustainability
sustainability
3.3 6.8 2009 19.7 Days CHF 2400 Submit
Buildings
buildings
3.1 3.4 2011 15.3 Days CHF 2600 Submit
Architecture
architecture
- - 2021 36.3 Days CHF 1000 Submit

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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33 pages, 26551 KiB  
Article
Carbon Footprint Evaluation and Reduction Strategies for a Residential Building in Romania: A Case Study
by Alexandru Mihai Bulmez, George Dragomir, Sorin Ionuț Bolocan, Alin Ionuț Brezeanu, Mariana Fratu, Nicolae Fani Iordan, Norbert Gocz and Răzvan Calotă
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060938 - 16 Mar 2025
Viewed by 326
Abstract
Single-family residential buildings represent the highest share of building sector in Romania. Their operation emits the most CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere, as most of them are not energy efficient. A life cycle assessment is performed for a case study building, built in [...] Read more.
Single-family residential buildings represent the highest share of building sector in Romania. Their operation emits the most CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere, as most of them are not energy efficient. A life cycle assessment is performed for a case study building, built in 2019 in Romania, establishing its carbon footprint. For this building CO2 emissions are 177.55 tCO2 for the construction stage, 76.19 tCO2 for the operation stage, 3.55 tCO2 for the demolition stage, and a total of 129.76 tCO2 after reducing with the carbon sequestration from vegetation 127.53 tCO2. The main purpose of this study is to analyse the carbon footprint for a typical single-family Romanian household, with an emphasis on the operational stage. The study compares the results and extrapolates them to all single-family residential buildings in Romania regarding CO2 emissions, with an emphasis on the operational stage. The results illustrate a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions from old, high energy consumption buildings to new, low energy consumption buildings. The highest operational stage emissions for old buildings in Romania are 962.94 tCO2 for firewood heating and 573.69 tCO2 for gas boiler heating, as those buildings are not insulated and don’t use a heat pump. Additionally, considering the use of photovoltaic panels for the entire lifespan, the CO2 emissions for the operational stage decrease for the case study building from 76.18 tCO2 to 19.90 tCO2. Moreover, using a heat pump detriments firewood or gas boilers, decreasing CO2 emissions for the operational stage by up to 34% and 26%, respectively. Due to the higher cost of electrical energy compared to natural gas in Romania, gas boilers are more cost-effective than heat pumps. Because of this, and the higher implementation costs, the tendency is towards natural gas. This will in turn result in an increase of CO2 emission for the entire life cycle of the building by approximate 32% for new buildings and 86% for old, high-energy-consumption buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Decarbonising the Building Industry)
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