Framework to reduce embodied energy in buildings: a literature review

Abstract

As the building sector is a major contributor to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, there is a growing focus on achieving significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector. Energy consumption in buildings can be classified into embodied energy and operational energy. Studies have indicated that operational energy contributes to 80%–90% of the total life cycle energy in buildings while embodied energy only contributes to 10%–20%. Though several strategies have been implemented to reduce OE, there has not been enough attention on reducing embodied energy in buildings. Therefore, it is vital to conduct a study on reducing embodied energy in buildings. A comprehensive literature review was conducted by referring to books, reports, theses, journals, magazines, and conference proceedings to identify several practices for reducing embodied energy in buildings as well as barriers to moving towards low embodied energy in buildings. In conclusion, the study showed that reducing embodied energy in buildings is an essential step towards achieving significant reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in the building sector, and a concerted effort is needed to overcome the identified barriers and implement the identified practices.