Archetype-based Life-Cycle Assessment of National Residential Building Stocks: Resource Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Western Asia and Northern Africa

AbstractBuildings are significant consumers of natural and manufactured resources, contributing heavily to environmental impacts, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions like Western Asia and Northern Africa (WN). This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of residential building stocks in 19 countries across these regions, utilizing an archetype-based, bottom-up stock modeling approach. By integrating life cycle analysis (LCA) with building energy models via BuildME, the study estimates the material, energy, and greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) intensities associated with various residential building types. The analysis reveals that 64% of total annual GHG emissions from residential buildings stem from energy use, with the proportion reaching as high as 90% in Qatar, while in Georgia, it accounts for 38%. Oman has the highest per capita material use at 3 t/capita/year, largely due to the dominance of spacious villas, while Kuwait shows the highest per capita emissions at 5 tCO2eq/capita/year, significantly outpacing countries like Morocco and Syria. The study also finds that while single-family houses are the least emission-intensive per square meter, they exhibit the highest emissions per unit. These findings provide critical insights into the resource use and environmental impact of residential buildings in WN, considering the region's diverse climatic, architectural, and economic contexts.Policy RelevanceThe results of this study hold significant implications for policymakers in WN as they address the environmental impacts of rapid urbanization and growing residential building stocks. The findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted policies that focus on reducing energy use in residential buildings, particularly in energy-intensive countries like Qatar and Kuwait. Policymakers should prioritize the development of energy-efficient building codes, incentivize the adoption of low-emission technologies, and promote sustainable building practices that minimize material use. The study also underscores the importance of considering both per unit and per square meter emissions in policy frameworks, especially in countries like Oman and Kuwait, where large, energy-intensive homes dominate. By leveraging the region-specific insights provided by this research, governments can design more effective strategies for reducing GHG emissions and resource use in residential sectors, contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts.