The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China

Efficient carbon reduction pathways in the building sector are critical for urban decarbonization. This study predicts urban carbon emissions and establishes models to evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of applying building low-carbon technologies (LCTs) at the urban scale. The models...

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Main Authors: Dongyi Zhang, Lu Sun, Yifan Zhang, Tianye Liu, Lu Gao, Fufu Wang, Xinting Qiao, Yuqi Liu, Jian Zuo, Yupeng Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1989
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author Dongyi Zhang
Lu Sun
Yifan Zhang
Tianye Liu
Lu Gao
Fufu Wang
Xinting Qiao
Yuqi Liu
Jian Zuo
Yupeng Wang
author_facet Dongyi Zhang
Lu Sun
Yifan Zhang
Tianye Liu
Lu Gao
Fufu Wang
Xinting Qiao
Yuqi Liu
Jian Zuo
Yupeng Wang
author_sort Dongyi Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Efficient carbon reduction pathways in the building sector are critical for urban decarbonization. This study predicts urban carbon emissions and establishes models to evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of applying building low-carbon technologies (LCTs) at the urban scale. The models under consideration encompass a spectrum of active strategies, specifically heat pump (HP), rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, and smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, alongside passive strategies encompassing advanced building materials and building envelopes. The predictive calculations consider building typologies, technological evolution, adoption rates, and local policy constraints. Results indicate that by 2030, the building sector in Xi’an will account for over 30% of the city’s total carbon emissions. The integrated emission reduction effect of LCTs reaches 25.8%, with building materials contributing the most significantly at 9%. Notably, rooftop PV systems demonstrate the highest carbon reduction potential among active strategies, while HP exhibits the fastest annual growth rate in mitigation. Furthermore, the study evaluates the feasibility of these LCTs to accelerate progress toward carbon reduction goals in the building sector.
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institution Kabale University
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language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
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series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-76e7c9925c524d429cac040b0fcba03c2025-08-20T03:27:21ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-06-011512198910.3390/buildings15121989The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, ChinaDongyi Zhang0Lu Sun1Yifan Zhang2Tianye Liu3Lu Gao4Fufu Wang5Xinting Qiao6Yuqi Liu7Jian Zuo8Yupeng Wang9School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Economics, Management and Law, University of South China, 28 Changsheng West Road, Hengyang 421001, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Civil Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, AustraliaSchool of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, ChinaEfficient carbon reduction pathways in the building sector are critical for urban decarbonization. This study predicts urban carbon emissions and establishes models to evaluate the carbon emission reduction potential of applying building low-carbon technologies (LCTs) at the urban scale. The models under consideration encompass a spectrum of active strategies, specifically heat pump (HP), rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems, and smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, alongside passive strategies encompassing advanced building materials and building envelopes. The predictive calculations consider building typologies, technological evolution, adoption rates, and local policy constraints. Results indicate that by 2030, the building sector in Xi’an will account for over 30% of the city’s total carbon emissions. The integrated emission reduction effect of LCTs reaches 25.8%, with building materials contributing the most significantly at 9%. Notably, rooftop PV systems demonstrate the highest carbon reduction potential among active strategies, while HP exhibits the fastest annual growth rate in mitigation. Furthermore, the study evaluates the feasibility of these LCTs to accelerate progress toward carbon reduction goals in the building sector.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1989carbon emissions predictionsustainable buildingslow-carbon technologiescarbon emission modelcarbon reduction potential
spellingShingle Dongyi Zhang
Lu Sun
Yifan Zhang
Tianye Liu
Lu Gao
Fufu Wang
Xinting Qiao
Yuqi Liu
Jian Zuo
Yupeng Wang
The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
Buildings
carbon emissions prediction
sustainable buildings
low-carbon technologies
carbon emission model
carbon reduction potential
title The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
title_full The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
title_fullStr The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
title_full_unstemmed The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
title_short The Effect of Low-Carbon Technology on Carbon Emissions Reduction in the Building Sector: A Case Study of Xi’an, China
title_sort effect of low carbon technology on carbon emissions reduction in the building sector a case study of xi an china
topic carbon emissions prediction
sustainable buildings
low-carbon technologies
carbon emission model
carbon reduction potential
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/12/1989
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