Towards a net-zero, whole-life carbon trajectory for the EU building stock

Alaux, N., Steinberger-Maierhofer, D., Bechstedt, N., Ramon, D., Zhong, X., Mastrucci, A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5611-7780, Röck, M., Allacker, K., & Passer, A. (2025). Towards a net-zero, whole-life carbon trajectory for the EU building stock. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science 1554 (1) e012127. 10.1088/1755-1315/1554/1/012127.

Preview

Text Alaux_2025_IOP_Conf._Ser.__Earth_Environ._Sci._1554_012127.pdf - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (872kB) | Preview

Abstract

To achieve climate neutrality by 2050, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions must be reduced to net-zero. Due to its high contribution to global GHG emissions, addressing the built environment is a critical step to reaching this target. This study aims to determine the extent to which GHG emissions from the European Union’s (EU) building stock can be reduced by 2050 and which carbon removal measures are required to achieve net-zero whole life cycle emissions. Two future scenarios are assessed via bottom-up, life cycle assessment-based building stock modelling to project GHG emissions of buildings in the EU from 2020 to 2050. The first scenario represents a business-as-usual approach, while the second includes additional GHG emission reduction strategies targeting material production, selection, recycling, energy efficiency, as well as other supply- and demand-side changes. Carbon dioxide removal technologies are investigated to offset the residual GHG emissions. Results of this measure-driven modelling show that the life cycle GHG emissions of the EU building stock have the potential to be reduced by up to 72% by 2050, with residual GHG emissions of around 229 MtCO 2 eq in 2050. To completely offset residual emissions with currently available technologies, all new building constructions would have to be equipped with additional direct air capture technologies, starting from 2030. Feasibility concerns regarding this technology emphasize the importance of stronger action on initial decarbonization measures.

Actions (login required)

View Item