Energies (Sep 2024)

New Zero-Carbon Wooden Building Concepts: A Review of Selected Criteria

  • Agnieszka Starzyk,
  • Kinga Rybak-Niedziółka,
  • Aleksandra Nowysz,
  • Janusz Marchwiński,
  • Alicja Kozarzewska,
  • Joanna Koszewska,
  • Anna Piętocha,
  • Polina Vietrova,
  • Przemysław Łacek,
  • Mikołaj Donderewicz,
  • Karol Langie,
  • Katarzyna Walasek,
  • Karol Zawada,
  • Ivanna Voronkova,
  • Barbara Francke,
  • Anna Podlasek

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/en17174502
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 17, no. 17
p. 4502

Abstract

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A Carbon Footprint (CF) is defined as the total emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, and is a specific type of Environmental Footprint that measures human impact on the environment. Carbon dioxide emissions are a major contributor to anthropogenic greenhouse gases driving climate change. Wood, as a renewable and ecological material, has relatively low carbon emissions. The study aimed to review and analyze the criteria influencing the feasibility of constructing modern zero-carbon wooden buildings. The review was conducted in two phases: (i) a literature review and (ii) an assessment of existing buildings. The preliminary research led to (i) narrowing the focus to the years 2020–2024 and (ii) identifying key criteria for analysis: sustainable material sourcing, carbon sequestration, energy efficiency, life cycle assessment (LCA), and innovative construction practices. The study’s findings indicate that all these criteria play a vital role in the design and construction of new zero-carbon wooden buildings. They highlight the significant potential of wood as a renewable material in achieving zero-carbon buildings (ZCBs), positioning it as a compelling alternative to traditional construction materials. However, the research also underscores that despite wood’s numerous potential benefits, its implementation in ZCBs faces several challenges, including social, regulatory, and financial barriers.

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