Embodied emissions of buildings - A forgotten factor in green building certificates

• The pre-use stage (construction) emissions of buildings occur in a short time. Wooden seem to emit less compared concrete ones according LCA. Green building certificates need consider embodied more exhaustively. construction and use consume significant proportion global energy natural resources. Leadership Energy Environmental Design (LEED) is arguably the most international green certification system attempts take actions limit construct them sustainably. While there has been wide range research mainly focused on emission production during operation phase LEED-certified buildings, rare. aim this study evaluate efficiency LEED regarding initial (pre-use) using life cycle assessment (LCA). comprised several steps designed model. In first step, three optional material scenarios were defined (optimized concrete, hybrid concrete-wood, wooden buildings) addition base case located Iceland. Second, an LCA was conducted for each scenario. Finally, number points level assessed all studied scenarios. addition, comparison consideration between Building Research Establishment Assessment Method (BREEAM) as mostly used certificate discussion section. showed lowest environmental impact followed by concrete-wood building. framework, obtained 14 8 that related selection. Among these points, only 3 (out total 110 available points) directly accredited emissions. recommends increase weight sustainable materials since significance substantially growing along with current carbon neutrality goals. As are imported into Iceland, useful locations similar while overall it beneficial whole world climate change mitigation.