Carbon Footprint of a Nearly Zero Energy Building in Accra (Ghana): an LCA-based Model
CONECT 2024: XVII International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies: Book of Abstracts 2024
Francesco Romagnoli, Claudio Rochas, Riccardo Paoli, Augustine Owusuansah, Cornelius Odai, Silvia Kobel

This study presents a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) in Accra, Ghana, comparing its environmental impact with a conventional Business-As-Usual (BAU) building over a 50-year lifespan. Adhering to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards, the research evaluates the carbon footprint and operational efficiencies essential to sustainable building designs. Utilizing SimaPro 9.5 software and the IPCC 2021 GWP100 method, the total carbon footprint was quantified at 1727 tons of CO2-equivalent for the NZEB, significantly lower than the BAU comparison. The analysis highlights the operational phase, including waste generation as the most substantial contributor to the NZEB's environmental impact, accounting for 725 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. Conversely, the strategic inclusion of solar panels and enhanced material selection for the NZEB markedly reduced energy demands, contributing to a net positive environmental outcome with an avoided carbon footprint of approximately -859.72 tons CO2-eq. This reduction underpins the NZEB's effectiveness in leveraging eco-friendly materials and renewable technologies, setting a benchmark for future sustainable construction practices. The study ultimately advocates for an integrated approach, harmonizing technological innovation with environmental stewardship, to mitigate the carbon footprint of the built environment, steering the construction industry towards sustainability.


Atslēgas vārdi
Carbon Footprint; environmental impact; Nearly Zero Energy Building; Life Cycle Assessment; renewable energy; sustainable construction
DOI
10.7250/CONECT.2024.038
Hipersaite
https://journals.rtu.lv/index.php/conect/article/view/CONECT.2024.038/pdf

Romagnoli, F., Rochas, C., Paoli, R., Owusuansah, A., Odai, C., Kobel, S. Carbon Footprint of a Nearly Zero Energy Building in Accra (Ghana): an LCA-based Model. No: CONECT 2024: XVII International Scientific Conference of Environmental and Climate Technologies: Book of Abstracts, Latvija, Rīga, 15.-17. maijs, 2024. Riga: Riga Technical University, 2024, 57.-57.lpp. ISBN 978-9934-37-065-6. ISSN 2592-9704. Pieejams: doi:10.7250/CONECT.2024.038

Publikācijas valoda
English (en)
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