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Carbon Footprint Estimation Tool for Residential Buildings for Non-Specialized Users: OERCO2 Project

Author

Listed:
  • Jaime Solís-Guzmán

    (ArDiTec Research Group, Department of Architectural Constructions II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes, 4-a. 41012 Seville, Spain)

  • Cristina Rivero-Camacho

    (ArDiTec Research Group, Department of Architectural Constructions II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes, 4-a. 41012 Seville, Spain)

  • Desirée Alba-Rodríguez

    (ArDiTec Research Group, Department of Architectural Constructions II, Higher Technical School of Building Engineering, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes, 4-a. 41012 Seville, Spain)

  • Alejandro Martínez-Rocamora

    (GACS Research Group, Department of Construction Sciences, Faculty of Architecture, Construction and Design, University of Bío-Bío, Av. Collao, 1202 Concepción, Chile)

Abstract

Existing tools for environmental certification of buildings are failing in their ability to reach the general public and to create social awareness, since they require not only specialized knowledge regarding construction and energy sources, but also environmental knowledge. In this paper, an open-source online tool for the estimation of the carbon footprint of residential buildings by non-specialized users is presented as a product from the OERCO2 Erasmus + project. The internal calculations, data management and operation of this tool are extensively explained. The ten most common building typologies built in the last decade in Spain are analysed by using the OERCO2 tool, and the order of magnitude of the results is analysed by comparing them to the ranges determined by other authors. The OERCO2 tool proves itself to be reliable, with its results falling within the defined logical value ranges. Moreover, the major simplification of the interface allows non-specialized users to evaluate the sustainability of buildings. Further research is oriented towards its inclusion in other environmental certification tools and in Building Information Modeling (BIM) environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime Solís-Guzmán & Cristina Rivero-Camacho & Desirée Alba-Rodríguez & Alejandro Martínez-Rocamora, 2018. "Carbon Footprint Estimation Tool for Residential Buildings for Non-Specialized Users: OERCO2 Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-15, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1359-:d:143527
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. María Rocío Ruiz-Pérez & María Desirée Alba-Rodríguez & Cristina Rivero-Camacho & Jaime Solís-Guzmán & Madelyn Marrero, 2021. "The Budget as a Basis for Ecological Management of Urbanization Projects. Case Study in Seville, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Pilar Mercader-Moyano & Jesús Roldán-Porras, 2020. "Evaluating Environmental Impact in Foundations and Structures through Disaggregated Models: Towards the Decarbonisation of the Construction Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-30, June.
    3. Kun Lu & Xiaoyan Jiang & Vivian W. Y. Tam & Mengyun Li & Hongyu Wang & Bo Xia & Qing Chen, 2019. "Development of a Carbon Emissions Analysis Framework Using Building Information Modeling and Life Cycle Assessment for the Construction of Hospital Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Madelyn Marrero & Maciej Wojtasiewicz & Alejandro Martínez-Rocamora & Jaime Solís-Guzmán & M. Desirée Alba-Rodríguez, 2020. "BIM-LCA Integration for the Environmental Impact Assessment of the Urbanization Process," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-24, May.
    5. Jianguo Chen & Yangyue Su & Hongyun Si & Jindao Chen, 2018. "Managerial Areas of Construction and Demolition Waste: A Scientometric Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Jarosław Górecki & Manuel Díaz-Madroñero, 2020. "Who Risks and Wins?—Simulated Cost Variance in Sustainable Construction Projects," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-31, April.
    7. Apostolopoulos, Vasilis & Mamounakis, Ioannis & Seitaridis, Andreas & Tagkoulis, Nikolas & Kourkoumpas, Dimitrios-Sotirios & Iliadis, Petros & Angelakoglou, Komninos & Nikolopoulos, Nikolaos, 2023. "Αn integrated life cycle assessment and life cycle costing approach towards sustainable building renovation via a dynamic online tool," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 334(C).
    8. Patricia González-Vallejo & Radu Muntean & Jaime Solís-Guzmán & Madelyn Marrero, 2020. "Carbon Footprint of Dwelling Construction in Romania and Spain. A Comparative Analysis with the OERCO2 Tool," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(17), pages 1-22, August.

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