In the sprawling urban landscapes of Western Asia and Northern Africa, a silent giant consumes vast amounts of resources and spews greenhouse gases into the atmosphere: residential buildings. A groundbreaking study, published recently, has lifted the veil on this often-overlooked sector, revealing stark variations and urgent needs for policy intervention.
Led by Sahin Akin from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, the research provides the first comprehensive analysis of residential building stocks across 19 countries in the Western Asia and Northern Africa (WANA) region. The study, which integrates life-cycle assessment with building energy models, offers a stark look at the material, energy, and annualized life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions (ALCGHGE) intensities associated with various residential building types.
The findings are eye-opening. Operational energy use, such as heating, cooling, and lighting, accounts for a whopping 64% of total annualized life-cycle emissions from residential buildings in the region. In energy-intensive countries like Qatar, this figure soars to 90%. “This is a clear indication that energy efficiency in buildings should be a top priority for policymakers,” Akin emphasizes.
The study also highlights significant disparities in per capita emissions. Kuwait, for instance, tops the chart with 5 tons of CO2 equivalent per capita per year, while countries like Morocco and Syria lag far behind at 0.7 and 0.5 tons respectively. Oman, meanwhile, leads in per capita material use, consuming 3 tons per capita per year.
For the energy sector, these insights present both challenges and opportunities. The high operational energy use in countries like Qatar and Kuwait signals a massive market for energy-efficient technologies and retrofitting services. Conversely, the lower emissions in countries like Morocco and Syria could indicate untapped potential for energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions.
The research also underscores the importance of considering both per dwelling unit and per square meter emissions in policy frameworks. This nuanced approach could help countries like Oman and Kuwait, where large, energy-intensive homes are prevalent, to design more effective strategies for reducing ALCGHGE and resource use.
The study, published in Buildings & Cities (translated from Buildings & Cities), offers a roadmap for policymakers grappling with the environmental impacts of rapid urbanization. By prioritizing energy-efficient building codes, incentivizing low-emission technologies, and promoting sustainable building practices, governments can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of their residential sectors.
As the WANA region continues to urbanize, the insights from this research will be invaluable. They could shape future developments in the field, from the design of new buildings to the retrofitting of existing ones. Moreover, they could influence the energy sector, driving demand for innovative, low-carbon solutions. The future of residential buildings in the WANA region is at a crossroads, and this research could be the map that guides the way.