Increasing material efficiencies of buildings to address the global sand crisis

The evolution and future perspectives of energy intensity in the global building sector 1971–2060

Energy efficiency plays an essential role in energy conservation and emissions mitigation efforts in the building sector. This is especially important considering that the global building stock is expected to rapidly expand in the years to come. In this study, a global-scale modeling framework is developed to analyze the evolution of building...

Recycling potential in building energy renovation: A prospective study of the Dutch residential building stock up to 2050

Building energy and construction and demolition waste (CDW) are highly relevant but intertwined issues for the transition towards a carbon-neutral and circular built environment. Ongoing energy renovation uses an increasing number of emerging materials that pose a challenge for recycling. As a response, a novel technological system has been...

Global greenhouse gas emissions from residential and commercial building materials and mitigation strategies to 2060

Building stock growth around the world drives extensive material consumption and envir onmental impacts. Future impacts will be dependent on the level and rate of socioeconomic development, along with material use and supply strategies. Here we evaluate material related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for residential and commercial buildings...

Upgrading construction and demolition waste management from downcycling to recycling in the Netherlands

Urban mining from construction and demolition waste (CDW) is highly relevant for the circular economy ambitions of the European Union (EU). Given the large volumes involved, end-of-life (EoL) concrete is identified as one of the priority streams for CDW recycling in most EU countries, but it is currently largely downcycled or even landfilled....