The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings
Climate change has intensified scrutiny of the building sector, a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Modular construction, recognized for its environmental, economic, and social benefits, is increasingly regarded as a key strategy to achieve sustainability goals. This study systematica...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-06-01
|
| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2085 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850156609726054400 |
|---|---|
| author | Yupei Hu Luyao Xiang Kai Shang |
| author_facet | Yupei Hu Luyao Xiang Kai Shang |
| author_sort | Yupei Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Climate change has intensified scrutiny of the building sector, a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Modular construction, recognized for its environmental, economic, and social benefits, is increasingly regarded as a key strategy to achieve sustainability goals. This study systematically reviews literature from 2005 to 2025 on life cycle carbon emissions (CEs) during the operational phase of modular buildings, using the PRISMA model. A comprehensive search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science (WoS), and relevant institutional databases yielded 1131 records, from which 34 studies were selected based on defined inclusion criteria. These studies span residential, commercial, and public buildings across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Findings reveal that while carbon impacts during the construction phase of modular buildings are well documented, research on the operational phase remains limited due to data scarcity and methodological complexity. Since operational emissions typically exceed 60% of total life cycle emissions, and modular buildings offer advantages in airtightness, precision, and passive design integration, they hold significant potential for reducing emissions. This study calls for enhanced integration of technological innovation and policy incentives to support operational decarbonization and contribute to global carbon neutrality efforts. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd8cb6c041b6412eb6cb7e51c8a4912a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd8cb6c041b6412eb6cb7e51c8a4912a2025-08-20T02:24:29ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512208510.3390/buildings15122085The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular BuildingsYupei Hu0Luyao Xiang1Kai Shang2School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710018, ChinaSchool of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, ChinaSchool of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, ChinaClimate change has intensified scrutiny of the building sector, a major source of global greenhouse gas emissions. Modular construction, recognized for its environmental, economic, and social benefits, is increasingly regarded as a key strategy to achieve sustainability goals. This study systematically reviews literature from 2005 to 2025 on life cycle carbon emissions (CEs) during the operational phase of modular buildings, using the PRISMA model. A comprehensive search of Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science (WoS), and relevant institutional databases yielded 1131 records, from which 34 studies were selected based on defined inclusion criteria. These studies span residential, commercial, and public buildings across Asia, North America, Europe, and Australia. Findings reveal that while carbon impacts during the construction phase of modular buildings are well documented, research on the operational phase remains limited due to data scarcity and methodological complexity. Since operational emissions typically exceed 60% of total life cycle emissions, and modular buildings offer advantages in airtightness, precision, and passive design integration, they hold significant potential for reducing emissions. This study calls for enhanced integration of technological innovation and policy incentives to support operational decarbonization and contribute to global carbon neutrality efforts.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2085modular buildingsprefabricationoff-site constructionlife cycle assessment (LCA)sustainabilitylife cycle performance |
| spellingShingle | Yupei Hu Luyao Xiang Kai Shang The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings Buildings modular buildings prefabrication off-site construction life cycle assessment (LCA) sustainability life cycle performance |
| title | The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings |
| title_full | The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings |
| title_fullStr | The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings |
| title_short | The Research Review on Life Cycle Carbon Emissions in the Operational Process of Modular Buildings |
| title_sort | research review on life cycle carbon emissions in the operational process of modular buildings |
| topic | modular buildings prefabrication off-site construction life cycle assessment (LCA) sustainability life cycle performance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/2085 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yupeihu theresearchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings AT luyaoxiang theresearchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings AT kaishang theresearchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings AT yupeihu researchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings AT luyaoxiang researchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings AT kaishang researchreviewonlifecyclecarbonemissionsintheoperationalprocessofmodularbuildings |