The Embodied Impact of Existing Building Stock

Abstract

This chapter provides the reader with a better understanding of the life cycle environmental impacts, with a focus on the embodied impact of existing building stock. A systematic literature review is conducted to paint a clear picture of the current research activities and findings. The major components of embodied impact and parameters influencing the embodied impact are outlined and explained. Lastly, this chapter discusses the major barriers for the embodied impact assessment, and a potential analysis framework is proposed at the end.

A Building Life-Cycle Embodied Performance Index—The Relationship between Embodied Energy, Embodied Carbon and Environmental Impact

“…Figure 1 illustrates the embodied carbon through the building life-cycle, including upstream and downstream emission. high number of variables [3,4], including building materials [5] and building construction types [2]: there is inadequate published information on whole building life-cycle embodied energy reports [6].…”

“…Regardless, the commonly accepted guidelines and methods of assessment and measurement for embodied energy have not been established. Previous studies demonstrate considerable variation in reported embodied energy values due to the high number of variables [3,4], including building materials [5] and building construction types [2]: there is inadequate published information on whole building life-cycle embodied energy reports [6]. Aside from a lack of consensus on measurement and procedures, embodied energy emissions and related carbon emissions are being largely ignored [7] as the focus is solely on operating energy.…”

“…(2) Carbon can be emitted due to chemical processes and reactions that do not involve energy consumption; the carbon emitted during cement production is one example [9]. (3) Carbon can also be sequestered, as is the case with wood during its growth phase [8]. Hence, the material can consume energy and reduce emissions at the same time.…”

Introduction to the Minitrack on Policy, Markets, and Analytics

“…Actualized social appraisal affordance positively influences cognitive exercise engagement. The actualized social appraisal affordance helps users build a more affective social connection and friendly social comparison environment by identifying people with similar exercise backgrounds or interests and staying connected with them [22,23]. These social connection and comparison environments are helpful for users to develop positive feelings about performing fitness activities.…”

“…These social connection and comparison environments are helpful for users to develop positive feelings about performing fitness activities. Because people are more likely to receive favorable comments when their fitness performance looks good and receive encouragement and help from their friends within this social connection if their fitness performance looks not good [22,23]. Hence, we hypothesize:…”