Measurement and Analysis of Carbon Emissions during the Operational Phase of Prefabricated Concrete Buildings Based on the Carbon Emission Factor Method

Abstract

As one of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, buildings have been designated as a key area for carbon reduction initiatives across various countries. Both the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals have explicitly called for the promotion of a low-carbon transition in the construction industry. In response to global climate governance, China has proactively put forward its "Dual Carbon" goals. Although numerous new initiatives have been proposed to mitigate carbon emissions from buildings, there remains a lack of comprehensive investigations into the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, especially in high-density urban areas. Furthermore, without reliable data on building emission levels, it is difficult to identify targeted aspects for reducing greenhouse gas emissions during the operational phase. Therefore, by comparing prefabricated concrete buildings with conventional cast-in-place concrete buildings, this paper aims to investigate the carbon emission characteristics of prefabricated residential buildings during the operational phase, explore the carbon reduction effects of prefabrication technology, and provide specific guidelines and strategies for cutting carbon emissions in the operational stage. The results demonstrate that prefabricated concrete buildings achieve a 16.7% reduction in carbon emissions per unit area compared with traditional buildings. The findings of this study can provide valuable support for stakeholders in pursuing low-carbon and sustainable development in the future.