These human-generated gases derive in part from aspects of the built environment such as transportation systems and infrastructure, building construction and operation, and land-use planning.
Figure 1 demonstrates how this concern has been recognized by the USGBC, which governs LEED, and recognizes that as building codes advance to address sustainable building construction and operation, LEED certification will need to respond by advancing its requirements for certification.
This covers challenges of reducing emissions from building construction, operation and maintenance while also presenting an array of potential solutions.
The economic effects of building, maintaining and operating settlements are attributed to building construction, building operation, public infrastructure construction and operation as well as external effects (primarily related to mobility).
First, the life-cycle carbon efficiency of a residential building is defined as the ratio of its life-cycle value to carbon emission, and the life-cycle of a residential building is divided into five stages, including construction materials preparation, building construction, building operation, building demolition, and construction & demolition wastes disposal.
In the U.S., about 50% of total CO2 emissions stem from the built environment (e.g., building construction, operation [heating, lighting, cooling], and end-of-life) (EPA 2012).
Achievement in substantial energy reduction in buildings may require to rethink the entire processes of design, construction and operation of buildings.
This voluntary scheme rewards environmentally responsible design, construction, and operation of buildings.
Today, large numbers of Architecture/Engineering/Construction and Facility Management (AEC/FM) firms and relevant service companies use these platforms to visually monitor construction and operation of buildings, bridges, and other types of civil infrastructure systems.
Decisions concerning construction and operation of buildings and settlements are pivotal to achieving sustainability and in particular to arrive at a sustainable energy system of society.
Furthermore, the sustainable construction and operation of buildings and settlements will have to become a fundamental part of any sustainability oriented energy strategy.
