Life-cycle assessment of CO2 emissions of buildings

China is the world´s most populous country and a major emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG). Buildings demand or consume great energy in their life cycle right from its construction to demolition, and emit large quantity of GHG. Based on the life cycle assessment theory, a life cycle GHG (equivalent CO₂) emission computational model of urban residential building was developed and the quantitative analysis on carbon emission was discussed. The computational method was applied in a case study, and the CO₂ emissions of a typical residential building during different lifetimes were calculated and compared. The method of energy efficiency strategies was proposed and could be used as reference in construction or energy saving modification of residential buildings.