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A Critical Review of the Carbon–Energy Nexus Within the Construction Sector’s Embodied Emissions: A Case Study in the United Arab Emirates

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  • Yara Al Jundi

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai P.O. Box 501745, United Arab Emirates)

  • Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry

    (School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society, Heriot-Watt University, Dubai P.O. Box 501745, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

This review maps the complex relationship between embodied carbon emissions and energy within the construction sector, aiming to generate insights that facilitate more informed and sustainable decision-making for new construction projects. It addresses the challenges associated with the variability in standards, methodologies, and emission factors used in embodied carbon assessments, which contribute to discrepancies and impede the development of cohesive carbon reduction strategies. The paper identifies key drivers of embodied emissions, with a particular emphasis on energy consumption, and represents the findings in the form of a detailed graph, elucidating the interplay between energy use and embodied emissions and providing actionable insights to enhance sustainability selections. Additionally, a case study of four residential low-rise projects in Abu Dhabi is conducted to analyze the energy-based carbon emissions of construction projects, examine their patterns over the entire construction period, and determine the energy-based carbon emission intensity of projects typically powered by diesel generators. This work expands the existing knowledge base by offering actionable insights into how energy-related decisions can significantly influence embodied carbon outcomes and aims to guide stakeholders in optimizing selections to advance sustainability practices within the construction industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Yara Al Jundi & Hassam Nasarullah Chaudhry, 2025. "A Critical Review of the Carbon–Energy Nexus Within the Construction Sector’s Embodied Emissions: A Case Study in the United Arab Emirates," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-23, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:10:p:2654-:d:1660408
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nässén, Jonas & Holmberg, John & Wadeskog, Anders & Nyman, Madeleine, 2007. "Direct and indirect energy use and carbon emissions in the production phase of buildings: An input–output analysis," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(9), pages 1593-1602.
    2. Golnaz Mohebbi & Ali Bahadori-Jahromi & Marco Ferri & Anastasia Mylona, 2021. "The Role of Embodied Carbon Databases in the Accuracy of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Calculations for the Embodied Carbon of Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-22, July.
    3. Neal R. Haddaway & Matthew J. Page & Chris C. Pritchard & Luke A. McGuinness, 2022. "PRISMA2020: An R package and Shiny app for producing PRISMA 2020‐compliant flow diagrams, with interactivity for optimised digital transparency and Open Synthesis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(2), June.
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