Carbon emission measurement and reduction analysis of typical campus buildings using building information modeling and life cycle assessment

Under the dual carbon goals, carbon emission reduction in the building sector has become a critical step in advancing sustainable development. As a type of intensively used public building, campus buildings significantly influence the overall carbon footprint of campuses due to their high emission profiles. This study employs building information modeling and life cycle assessment to develop a systematic life-cycle carbon emission analysis model for a university building in Hangzhou, China, covering stages from material production and construction to operation and demolition. The carbon footprint of each phase was quantitatively measured. Results indicate that the total life-cycle carbon emissions of the project reached 15,718.97 tCO2e. After accounting for a reduction of 13,11.48 tCO2e achieved through material recycling and green carbon sinks, the carbon emission intensity per unit area was 18,84.74 kgCO2e/sqm. In terms of emission distribution, the operational phase contributed 85.01 percent of the total emissions, with the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system identified as the primary energy consumer. The material production phase accounted for 18.36 percent of emissions, largely due to the use of carbon-intensive materials such as steel and concrete. This study provides empirical data support and methodological references for the low-carbon design and management of campus buildings, facilitating the implementation of energy-saving and emission-reduction requirements in universities.