Abstract
Buildings have become a key source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions due to the consumption of primary energy, especially when used to achieve thermal comfort conditions. In addition, buildings play a key role for adapting societies to climate change by achieving more energy efficiency. Therefore, buildings have become a key sector to tackle climate change at the local level. However, public decision-makers do not have tools with enough spatial resolution to prioritise and focus the available resources and efforts in an efficient manner. The objective of the research is to develop an innovative methodology based on a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping primary energy consumption and GHG emissions in buildings in cities according to energy efficiency certificates. The developed methodology has been tested in a representative medium-sized city in Spain, obtaining an accurate analysis that shows 32,000 t of CO2 emissions due to primary energy consumption of 140 GWh in residential buildings with high spatial resolution at single building level. The obtained results demonstrate that the majority of residential buildings have low levels of energy efficiency and emit an average of 45 kg CO2/m2. Compared to the national average in Spain, this obtained value is on the average, while it is slightly better at the regional level. Furthermore, the results obtained demonstrate that the developed methodology is able to directly identify city districts with highest potential for improving energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions. Additionally, a data model adapted to the INSPIRE regulation has been developed in order to ensure interoperability and European-wide application. All these results have allowed the local authorities to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition. In conclusion, public decision-makers will be supported with an innovative and user-friendly GIS-based methodology to better define local strategies towards a low-carbon economy and energy transition in a more efficient and transparent way based on metrics of high spatial resolution and accuracy.
Highlights
Climate change adaptation and mitigation have become a central concern of many cities in Europe
The research methodology is based on a bottom-up approach including the following: data gathering, calculation and characterization of energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of buildings, data model development adapted to the EU INSPIRE Directive integrating alphanumeric and geographic data, analysis and structure of geographic and alphanumeric databases and data loading to obtain spatial distribution of primary energy and GHG emissions of buildings, and, the testing and evaluating of the methodology in a representative medium-sized city
An innovative methodology based on a geographic information system (GIS) for mapping primary energy consumption and GHG emissions in buildings has been developed
Summary
Climate change adaptation and mitigation have become a central concern of many cities in Europe. 300 EU cities signed the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy [2], pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 40% by 2030 [3]. European cities are seeking to reduce both energy consumption and GHG emissions by supporting better thermal insulation of buildings, using more efficient lighting technologies, and promoting new low-energy buildings. Many cities are testing new nature-based solutions to adapt to climate change. Such solutions often support additional goals such as reducing GHG emissions, pollution, or flood risks [5]. Trees can reduce the heat island effect and reduce air pollution [7,8,9,10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
