Influencing factors of low-carbon renovation of public buildings from the perspective of stakeholders

The low-carbon renovation of public buildings (LCRPB) involves multiple stakeholders and a range of complex, interactive factors that significantly influence stakeholder behaviors. Identifying the critical determinants affecting these stakeholders is crucial for ensuring the sustainable and effective implementation of LCRPB. This study examines four main stakeholders: the government, public building owners, Energy Service Companies (ESCOs), and the public. Using the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method combined with Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM), the research identifies the key factors influencing LCRPB and explores their interrelationships. The findings indicate that decisions related to LCRPB are influenced by 15 key factors from the four stakeholder groups. Based on the scores for centrality, and causality, the study identifies several critical determinants: owners' financial returns, project coordination and management capabilities, expected emission reduction outcomes, carbon trading prices, economic benefits for ESCOs, technological advancements, incentive policies, and the implementation of carbon quota trading policies. The hierarchical analysis categorizes these 15 factors into 4 levels. Among these, the certification of low-carbon performance for public buildings, the implementation of incentive policies, carbon quota trading regulations, and public promotion of low-carbon living are identified as fundamental driving factors. This study not only contributes to the theoretical and model development in the field of LCRPB but also offers practical insights for policymakers.