From Building to District: Whole-Life Global Warming Potential of a Low-Energy Residential Block and Surrounding Site Works
Abstract
A comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) was performed for a newly completed multi-family residential block and its surrounding infrastructure in Oceanhamnen, Helsingborg, to quantify total climate impacts and identify key mitigation opportunities. The study integrates dynamic energy modeling with a material-based LCA in accordance with EN 15978 (modules A–C), extending the traditional building boundary to include external, non-building components such as courtyards, access roads, and underground utility networks. The baseline concrete-dominated design results in a whole-life global warming potential (GWP) of 517 kg CO₂eq/m² over a 50-year lifespan, of which 52% arises from embodied carbon during production. Although nonbuilding elements contribute only about 16 kg CO₂-eq/m² (≈4% of total emissions), some, particularly service corridors and paved areas, exhibit disproportionately high carbon intensities per functional unit. The results highlight the dominant role of structural concrete in embodied emissions and show that extending the assessment boundary beyond the building elements adds only a minor but meaningful contribution to the total carbon footprint.
Keywords
life-cycle assessment, embodied carbon, non-building elements, global warming potential