Zero Energy Buildings Research Articles

Applying the concept of zero-energy buildings in the design of cultural centers through interaction with the user

Applying the concept of zero-energy buildings in the design of cultural centers through interaction with the user

Research and Case Application of Zero-Carbon Buildings Based on Multi-System Integration Function

This study focuses on developing and implementing zero-carbon buildings through the integration of multiple systems to meet China’s carbon neutrality goals. It emphasizes the significant role of the building sector in carbon emissions and highlights the challenge of increasing energy consumption conflicting with China’s “dual carbon” targets. To address this, the research proposes a comprehensive framework that combines multifunctional envelope structure (MES) systems, photovoltaic power generation, energy storage, direct current (DC) systems, flexible energy management (PEDF), and regional energy stations. This framework integrates different technologies such as phase change materials, radiation cooling, and carbon mineralized cement, aiming to reduce carbon emissions throughout the building’s lifecycle. The method has been successfully applied in the Yazhou Bay Zero Carbon Post Station project in Sanya, Hainan, with precise calculations of carbon emission reductions. The carbon emission calculations revealed a reduction of 44.13 tons of CO2 annually, totaling 1103.31 tons over 25 years, primarily due to the rooftop photovoltaic systems. It demonstrates that the multi-system integration can reduce carbon emissions and contribute to China’s broader carbon neutrality goals. This approach, if widely adopted, could accelerate the transition to carbon-neutral buildings in China.

Driving the zero-carbon construction strategy: key barriers and enablers

PurposeIn the fast-changing field of zero-carbon construction there is a gap in understanding how zero-carbon construction strategies are experienced in practice. This paper aims to identify the key barriers and enablers to driving a zero-carbon construction strategy by industry, policymakers and educators.Design/methodology/approachThe research was conducted in two stages. The first stage used a literature review to determine thematic areas from which to develop discussion points for the second stage of the research, which gathered insights into key barriers and enablers to driving a zero-carbon construction strategy from analysing recorded discussion with industry, policymakers and educators. This study adopts a qualitative research methodological design underpinned by dialectical approach of enquiries involving 31 participants. The philosophical standpoint aligns with a constructivist participatory worldview based on multiple stakeholder perspectives. Data involving virtual and face-to-face engagement held simultaneously in Australia and India were transcribed, coded and synthesised to identify the barriers and enablers to driving zero-carbon construction strategy.FindingsThe paper identified key barriers and enablers driving zero-carbon construction strategy. Barriers included limited awareness of industry dynamics; fixed mental models of professional practice; complexities in identifying appropriate skillsets; difficulties associated with reviewing education and training models and integrating sustainable strategies at early stages of projects. Enablers included: fostering education reform and supporting frameworks and procurement strategies for developers and clients; implementing efficient building designs, construction and operationalisation of zero-carbon buildings and; utilising an industry-led integrated approach. A framework was developed to provide an illustrative view of the linkage between the research projects’ focus areas and emergent themes.Originality/valueThe paper provides zero-carbon action priorities for four significant stakeholder groups in the build environment, developers, building occupiers, educators and government. As the priorities are derived in the research from examination of current literature and analysis of stakeholder viewpoints, this paper presents a unique, realistic and timely identification of barriers and key enablers driving zero-carbon construction strategies. Methodology applied in terms of data collection involved a public discourse and a unique technology-driven collaborative approach where participants simultaneously contributed across countries and time zones in a synchronous manner across key topics related to driving the zero-carbon construction strategy.

Modelling Nigerian residential dwellings: bottom-up approach and scenario analysis

Nigeria’s residential buildings consume a substantial amount of the country’s energy, so achieving a net-zero building sector with a rapidly growing population is a key challenge. To bridge the gap in research at a national level and support Nigeria’s commitment to an unconditional 20% reduction in emissions by 2030, this study develops bottom-up archetype models of different residential building typologies to estimate the energy and material use of Nigerian residential buildings. This creates an overview of the residential stock and how different archetypes perform. The study calculates a baseline energy and material use of Nigeria’s residential building stock using the BuildME tool and converts these data into CO2 emissions using a life-cycle assessment. Scenarios are modelled for 2020. Nigeria’s residential dwellings use approximately 0.3 kt of material per dwelling over a lifetime of 50 years and 2404 kWh/yr of energy per dwelling. Annualised, dwellings emit 2500 kgCO2-eq per dwelling due to material and energy use. Scenarios proposed for meeting Nigeria’s emissions targets will require improved energy efficiency, decarbonising the building envelope through a shift in construction materials and decarbonising grid electricity. Policy relevance This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the energy and material use of residential buildings in Nigeria, focusing on achieving the country’s commitment to a 20% reduction in emissions by 2030. It employs a bottom-up approach to model energy and material use, revealing the peculiarities of the dwelling stock across Nigeria’s four climatic zones. The study explores the implications of different policy scenarios on sustainable housing. The research suggests that meeting Nigeria’s emissions targets requires improved energy efficiency, a shift in construction materials and decarbonisation of grid electricity. It also highlights the potential benefits of a policy switch to materials such as timber, earthen blocks, adobe bricks and clay, which could significantly reduce construction-related emissions. These changes could improve the quality of life of households in Nigeria, combat climate change on a global scale and bring economic advantages to Nigeria.

Multi-pronged strategies for enhancing building envelopes toward nearly-zero energy in hot climatic regions

Abstract Growing concerns about climate change and rising energy demands necessitate advancements in building energy efficiency. This study investigates the effectiveness of radiative coatings and thermal insulation, both individually and combined, in reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint for buildings in hot and humid climates. This research contributes to a growing body of knowledge by comprehensively evaluating the combined effects of these strategies. A comparative analysis was conducted using data on energy usage and carbon emissions.
The research highlights the effectiveness of envelope-enhancing techniques in reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions. The application of radiative coating led to a significant 13.1% decrease in energy usage, totaling 681.95 MWh, and corresponding emissions of 482.14 tons of CO2. Radiative coating offers the most cost-effective solution with an LCOS of $0.045/kWh. When integrating thermal insulation with radiative coating, there was a substantial 12.0% reduction in energy consumption, amounting to 690.39 MWh, and emissions of 488.11 tons of CO2. The integrated model provides significant energy savings at a slightly higher LCOS of $0.052/kWh, making it a balanced choice between efficiency and cost-effectiveness compared to using thermal insulation alone. Moreover, the study emphasizes that the combination of Glazing Integrated Photovoltaic (GIPV) with radiative coating can lead to the creation of nearly zero-energy buildings, resulting in a significant energy savings of 34.9%. These results underscore the efficacy of these technologies in achieving significant energy savings and environmental benefits.
This study demonstrates that radiative coatings significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon footprints. The combined method with thermal insulation reduces energy, suggesting further optimization strategies in hot and humid conditions. The results of this investigation recommend utilizing Glazing Integrated Photovoltaic (GIPV) to achieve nearly zero-energy buildings. Such integrated solutions not only improve energy efficiency but also make a substantial contribution to environmental sustainability in the building sector.

An exploratory factor analysis on technological-related barriers to the construction of zero-energy buildings in Nigeria

PurposeZero-energy building (ZEB) has been considered as an innovative approach to reducing building carbon emissions (CEs) and improving building energy performance. Despite huge benefits of ZEBs, there are still challenges limiting the construction of ZEBs in the construction sector. This study seeks to assess and determine the principal component of technological-related barriers to the construction of ZEBs in Nigeria.Design/methodology/approachThe study designed a questionnaire to examine the technological-related barriers to the construction of ZEBs in Nigeria. Questionnaires were administered, and 272 valid responses were elicited. Thereafter, data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.FindingsThe results from the exploratory factors analysis show that the principal components of technological-related barriers to the construction of ZEBs in Nigeria are categorised into five principal components: access and awareness for technological integration and innovation; knowledge on renewable technology integration; space and complexity of sustainable energy technologies; cost and readiness for ZEB technologies; and research outcomes with practical implementation in sustainable building technologies.Originality/valueThis study contributed to more effective ZEB studies by highlighting technological-related barriers to the construction of ZEBs in construction industry. An understanding of these barriers can aid construction stakeholders, organisations, policy-makers and governments in devising strategies targeted at reducing these technological-related barriers and fostering the construction of ZEBs in construction sector. Recommendations for further study on ZEBs were also made.

Design and performance analysis of a net-zero energy building in Owerri, Nigeria

Building cooling load depends on heat gains from the outside environment. Appropriate orientation and masonry materials play vital roles in the reduction of overall thermal loads buildings. A net-zero energy building performance has been analyzed in order to ascertain the optimum orientation and wall material properties, under the climatic conditions of Owerri, Nigeria. Standard cooling load estimation techniques were employed for the determination of the diurnal interior load variations in a building incorporating renewable energy as the major energy source, and compared with the situation in a conventionally powered building. The results show a 19.28% reduction in the building’s cooling load when brick masonry was used for the wall construction. It was observed that a higher heat gain occurred when the building faced the East-West direction than when it was oriented in the North-South direction. Significant diurnal cooling loads variation as a result of radiation through the windows was also observed, with the east facing windows contributing significantly higher loads during the morning hours while the west facing windows contributed higher amounts in the evening. The economic analysis of the net-zero energy building showed an 11.63% reduction in energy cost compared to the conventional building, with a 7-year payback period for the use of Solar PV systems. Therefore, the concept of net-zero energy building will not only help in energy conservation, but also in cost savings, and the reduction of carbon footprint in the built environment.

Evaluating the Performance of Topic Modeling Techniques with Human Validation to Support Qualitative Analysis

Examining the effectiveness of machine learning techniques in analyzing engineering students’ decision-making processes through topic modeling during simulation-based design tasks is crucial for advancing educational methods and tools. Thus, this study presents a comparative analysis of different supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques for topic modeling, along with human validation. Hence, this manuscript contributes by evaluating the effectiveness of these techniques in identifying nuanced topics within the argumentation framework and improving computational methods for assessing students’ abilities and performance levels based on their informed decisions. This study examined the decision-making processes of engineering students as they participated in a simulation-based design challenge. During this task, students were prompted to use an argumentation framework to articulate their claims, evidence, and reasoning, by recording their informed design decisions in a design journal. This study combined qualitative and computational methods to analyze the students’ design journals and ensured the accuracy of the findings through the researchers’ review and interpretations of the results. Different machine learning models, including random forest, SVM, and K-nearest neighbors (KNNs), were tested for multilabel regression, using preprocessing techniques such as TF-IDF, GloVe, and BERT embeddings. Additionally, hyperparameter optimization and model interpretability were explored, along with models like RNNs with LSTM, XGBoost, and LightGBM. The results demonstrate that both supervised and unsupervised machine learning models effectively identified nuanced topics within the argumentation framework used during the design challenge of designing a zero-energy home for a Midwestern city using a CAD/CAE simulation platform. Notably, XGBoost exhibited superior predictive accuracy in estimating topic proportions, highlighting its potential for broader application in engineering education.

ETICS measurements and prediction - Verification and validation of a predictive model for the improvement of airborne sound insulation of thick external linings

The increasing demand of the reduction of carbon emissions and the consumption of energy resources due to the construction sector leads to the concept of Zero-Energy buildings. It is therefore crucial ensuring technical and engineering compatibility between future advancements in energy efficiency and sound insulation. The sound insulation requirements for residential buildings are mandatory in Italian Regulations, tested on-site after construction completion. A noteworthy challenge is the potential synergy between specifications for energy efficiency and the sound insulation properties in building materials. This paper deals with the validation of the prediction model for the improvement of airborne sound insulation due to thick external linings, particularly materials used in ETICS (External Thermal Insulation System), based on mechanical properties of involved materials. Standard ISO 9052-1 for the determination of dynamic stiffness is intended for materials used under floating floors in dwellings. However, based on the methods of this standard, it is possible to perform measurements (with both hammer and shaker) even on thick linings materials, and use the results for the implementation of computational models for the predictions of airborne sound insulation improvement, as a function of frequency, with good accuracy.

Renovating Post-First-Energy-Regulation Housing: Achieving Nearly Zero-Energy buildings under typical and extreme warm conditions in a temperate European city

Decarbonising the built environment is essential for achieving the 2050 European objectives. Multi-family buildings comprise nearly half of Europe’s building stock, yet there is no regulation mandating all housing renovations to be Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings (NZEBs). This paper highlights the role of NZEB renovation for residential buildings constructed between the first energy regulations, after the first oil crisis, and the EPBD 2002 implementation (post-first-energy-regulation housing), as a pivotal factor towards energy transition. In Spain, this period (1980–2006) encompasses approximately 45% of existing dwellings. A case study was conducted in a city with a Cfb temperate climate, focusing on the most representative residential typology of the target period: the linear block. The study evaluates its current state and defines potential measures to meet NZEB requirements, achieving zero consumption when renovation of thermal envelope is combined with heat recovery systems, heat pumps, and PV panels.This research is based on energy simulations for two climate scenarios: the typical meteorological year (TMY, official series 1970–2000) and the most extreme warm year (EWY, 2022) in Spain. Results indicate active cooling systems are necessary for NZEB renovations in Spanish Cfb climates. Furthermore, low-temperature radiators significantly reduce heating consumption, while splits are the most suitable cooling systems. This study shows Spain is not adequately preparing its housing stock to face climate change, as most typical renovation works are based on official weather files that need updating to reflect harsher summer conditions. Finally, the study aims to encourage new policies and enhance existing regulations to address rising temperatures and heatwaves.

Building retrofitting towards net zero energy under climate change

Abstract The challenge in Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) retrofitting is to identify the most effective measures to address energy performance issues. This paper presents a machine learning model for optimizing retrofit measures to achieve NZEB under the influence of climate change. Specifically, the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (NSGA-III) minimizes energy consumption and the predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) while achieving a NZE balance, thereby obtaining the Pareto front. The Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) ranking technique is then applied to the Pareto front to obtain an optimal solution. Various passive energy retrofit measures are investigated, and renewable retrofit measures are employed to cover the required energy. This process is repeated for different time frames to consider the impact of climate change on selecting retrofit measures. The results clearly indicate that, for retrofitting a residential NZEB, higher insulation values are needed for future scenarios compared to the present scenario due to the effects of climate change. Using the future scenarios defined by the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways framework, a higher level of envelope insulation and renewable retrofit measures are required to achieve NZEB in the Sustainable Future scenario compared to the Fossil Fuel-dependent Future scenario, with increases of 35% and 50%, respectively.

Experimental study and techno-economic evaluation of an active fault detection kit in the prospect of future zero energy building installations

This article presents an active fault detection kit, applicable to low voltage single-phase electrical installations, in the prospect of the Zero Energy Building concept, integrating on-site renewable energy generation and energy storage. This simple, flexible, self-powered and compact kit is capable of detecting faults, such as power theft (meter tampering), unintentional islanding and neutral conductor loss. Its operation is based on harmonic voltage injection, in series with the electrical installation, through a low-power H-bridge inverter and a current transformer, along with the corresponding harmonic current measurement, to estimate the impedance and effectively detect faulty conditions; the fast and robust Goertzel algorithm is utilized. Moreover, it features IoT communication capabilities, employing the ESP32 microcontroller, to exchange data and information with the installation meters. The functionality and effective fault detection of the proposed device are validated, through experimental tests on a custom-developed hardware prototype; IoT connectivity and data uploading are experimentally tested and verified, too. Finally, a sustainability assessment study is performed, using the Life Cycle Cost Analysis tool.

Design and analysis of zero-energy and carbon buildings with renewable energy supply and recycled materials

Given the notable consumption of fossil fuels, buildings prioritize their energy utilization. This paper’s aim is to explore the primary strategies in attaining zero-energy and zero-carbon buildings. The investigation employs two specialized software programs: Design Builder, which analyzes energy usage, and PV Syst, which evaluates renewable energy requirements. The study is conducted in Fort Myers, USA, and Dubai, UAE, leveraging diverse regional and climate discrepancies, and real-world data on zero-energy and carbon constructions for comparison and validation. Within the Design Builder software, the research examines four strategies, with the first serving as the realistic baseline. By implementing the second strategy, utilizing internal shading devices such as Shade Roll, a reduction of 376 kWh in Fort Myers and 591 kWh in Dubai is achieved. The third strategy encompasses the deployment of blind-type internal shading systems, resulting in reductions of 212 kWh in Fort Myers and 348 kWh in Dubai. The fourth strategy involves integrating renewable energy via photovoltaic panels, injecting 323.5 kWh in Fort Myers and 2237 kWh in Dubai into the power grid for lighting purposes. Furthermore, 3200.5 kWh and 4722 kWh of energy are respectively injected into the grid for heating in Fort Myers and Dubai. Cooling, however, necessitates additional energy from the grid, amounting to 2243.94 kWh in Fort Myers and 9211.64 kWh in Dubai. In the pursuit of zero-carbon goals, the implementation of suitable low-carbon recycled materials, in place of primary building materials, reduces carbon dioxide emissions from 79 tons to 7.315 tons in Fort Myers and 7.038 tons in Dubai. By employing appropriate materials, the zero-carbon objective is attained.

Reviewing of the net-zero energy buildings and housings in Japan

Abstract The buildings and construction sectors play a pivotal role in combating climate change. Globally, they account for 30% of the final energy consumption and 27% of total energy sector CO2 emissions. Buildings currently consume up to 40% of the world’s total energy, and it is projected to increase to 50% by 2030. The world faces a significant challenge in addressing these issues related to global energy production. From the Paris Agreement in 2015 to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow (COP26),Japan has committed to developing and implementing robust greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction measures using its resources. They have declared their intention to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, improving the energy efficiency of structures. This involves measures such as regulating electricity usage, imposing restrictions on design specifications concerning the built environment and raw materials and promoting the use of sustainable energy sources to minimize the environmental impact of buildings. These efforts have given rise to the concept of net-zero energy buildings (ZEB) and net-zero energy housing (ZEH). This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of ZEB/ZEH in a general context and to assess its feasibility and practicality within the specific context of Japan.

Energy management of residential buildings using innovative passive techniques

Abstract Recently, efforts on sustainability and energy savings in buildings have increased due to the growing global awareness of the energy use of buildings and the negative impacts of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. As a result, it is critical to propose effective strategies to reduce such energy consumption. The goal of this project is to advance the idea of net-zero energy buildings as a worldwide mitigation method for climate change. Thus, a numerical model was developed and validated to investigate the passive cooling capabilities of an innovative phase change material (PCM)-based phase cube in residential buildings. The proposed phase cube includes six various PCM-compact storage module (PCM-CSM) configurations including Rubitherm’s SP-24E plates (Horizontal), Half Circular Inline, Half Circular Staggered, Vertical plates, Inline Cylindrical and Staggered Cylindrical compact storage modules. All the proposed designs were numerically simulated, and the obtained results were compared and analysed at an inlet air temperature and velocity of 35°C, and 4m/s, respectively and each phase cube contained the same mass of Rubitherm’s SP-24E PCM, which was 30.326 kg. The results showed that the Horizontal, Half Circular Inline and Vertical phase cubes can absorb heat at a higher rate from fresh air at nearly 496.19w, 465.9w and 458.16w, respectively translating the lowest outlet air temperature of about 25°C from the cube. Integrating such phase cubes into residential buildings for indoor passive air cooling substantially decreased the building cooling loads, resulting in reduced electric energy consumption by the air conditioning system.

Development and Characterization of Mesoporous Silica-MgSO4-MgCl2 Binary Salt Composites for Low-Grade Heat Storage in Fluidized Bed Systems

Achieving nearly zero-energy buildings requires efficient utilization and storage of renewable energy. Salt-hydrate-based thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems are promising due to their high heat storage capacity and minimal seasonal heat loss. However, challenges remain for their commercialization and large-scale application. For example, TCES systems using magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) provide low temperature lifts due to slow reaction kinetics. Incorporating deliquescent salts like magnesium chloride (MgCl2) can enhance sorption performance but may introduce stability issues such as agglomeration and decomposition. This study proposes a novel binary-salt composite that combines MgSO4 and MgCl2 within commercial mesoporous silica (CMS) to address these challenges and enhance overall performance. The binary-salt composite powder, with a particle size range of 150 to 300 μm, is suitable for use in fluidized-bed reactors, where fast mass and heat transfer promote efficient moisture adsorption, prevent uneven temperature distribution, and reduce agglomeration. Measured using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the MgCl2-MgSO4@CMS binary-salt composites, with a total salt content of 50 wt% and salt mixing ratios of 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3, exhibited water sorption capacities of 0.95, 0.68, and 0.57 g/g, respectively. In comparison, the MgSO4@CMS single-salt composite showed a lower water adsorption capacity of 0.47 g/g and required higher temperatures above 150 °C for complete regeneration. Reactor-scale experiments demonstrated that the MgCl2-MgSO4(1:1)@CMS composite can be fluidized at low gas velocities on the order of 10-2 m/s, providing a maximum temperature lift of 24.7 °C and an energy density of 1018 kJ/kg during hydration at 80% relative humidity and 30 °C. The binary-salt composite also showed good cyclic stability with less particle agglomeration compared to the MgCl2@CMS single-salt composite.

Multi-objective optimization of energy demand and net zero energy building design based on climatic conditions (Case study: Iran)

Multi-objective optimization of energy demand and net zero energy building design based on climatic conditions (Case study: Iran)

Simulation-Based Hybrid Energy Storage Composite-Target Planning with Power Quality Improvements for Integrated Energy Systems in Large-Building Microgrids

In this paper, we present an optimization planning method for enhancing power quality in integrated energy systems in large-building microgrids by adjusting the sizing and deployment of hybrid energy storage systems. These integrated energy systems incorporate wind and solar power, natural gas supply, and interactions with electric vehicles and the main power grid. In the optimization planning method developed, the objectives of cost-effective and low-carbon operation, the lifecycle cost of hybrid energy storage, power quality improvements, and renewable energy utilization are targeted and coordinated by using utility fusion theory. Our planning method addresses multiple energy forms—cooling, heating, electricity, natural gas, and renewable energies—which are integrated through a combined cooling, heating, and power system and a natural gas turbine. The hybrid energy storage system incorporates batteries and compressed-air energy storage systems to handle fast and slow variations in power demand, respectively. A sensitivity matrix between the output power of the energy sources and the voltage is modeled by using the power flow method in DistFlow, reflecting the improvements in power quality and the respective constraints. The method proposed is validated by simulating various typical scenarios on the modified IEEE 13-node distribution network topology. The novelty of this paper lies in its focus on the application of integrated energy systems within large buildings and its approach to hybrid energy storage system planning in multiple dimensions, including making co-location and capacity sizing decisions. Other innovative aspects include the coordination of hybrid energy storage combinations, simultaneous siting and sizing decisions, lifecycle cost calculations, and optimization for power quality enhancement. As part of these design considerations, microgrid-related technologies are integrated with cutting-edge nearly zero-energy building designs, representing a pioneering attempt within this field. Our results indicate that this multi-objective, multi-dimensional, utility fusion-based optimization method for hybrid energy storage significantly enhances the economic efficiency and quality of the operation of integrated energy systems in large-building microgrids in building-level energy distribution planning.

Achieving Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings through Renewable Energy Production-Storage Optimization

Achieving Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings through Renewable Energy Production-Storage Optimization

A novel life cycle assessment methodology for transitioning from nZEB to ZEB. Case-study

This study analyzes the CO2 equivalent emissions of a LEED-certified nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) using a simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, aligned with EN 15978. Focusing on the building's energy performance across its life cycle, the study demonstrates that in 2022, 95 % of the energy used for heating came from renewable sources, which decreases to 86 % by 2050 due to milder winters. However, the need for cooling increases by 9 % over the same period due to hotter summers. By 2050 and 2080, if the EU transitions to renewable electricity, the operational Global Warming Potential (GWP) could approach zero. The study highlights that embodied emissions (69 %) outweigh operational emissions (31 %) in 2022, emphasizing the need to reduce embodied GWP through material reuse and recycling. Notably, concrete and aluminum were found to contribute the most to embodied emissions. The research also shows that nZEBs can exceed the EU's 2030 energy targets, with renewable energy contributing 67 % of the building's total consumption. As climate change favors nZEB performance, the operational emissions will trend towards zero, but embodied emissions will become increasingly significant. To achieve the EU's zero-emission goals, it is crucial to prioritize reducing embodied GWP in future nZEBs. This study underscores the importance of nZEBs in mitigating climate change impacts, offering a pathway toward sustainable construction and energy efficiency.