Analyzing CO 2 Emissions by CSI Categories: A Life Cycle Perspective

Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz () and Sarah Rodovalho
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Gulbin Ozcan-Deniz: Department of Construction Management, College of Architecture and the Built Environment, Thomas Jefferson University, 4201 Henry Ave, Suite 123, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA
Sarah Rodovalho: College of Architecture and the Built Environment, Thomas Jefferson University, 4201 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-21

Abstract: As the construction industry continues to evolve, energy consumption of buildings, particularly CO 2 emissions, has become a critical focus for sustainable development. The need for effective design decisions regarding the selection of materials throughout the project life cycle is apparent, yet the link between specifications and CO 2 emissions has not been set yet. This study presents a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) of CO 2 emissions across various Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) categories, aiming to identify the carbon footprint of different building systems and materials. The methodology focuses on using 3D building model case studies to evaluate the design decisions versus their impact on global warming potential (GWP). The results of this study emphasize that within CSI categories, concrete divisions consistently emerge as the predominant contributors to GWP, exceeding 75% in several instances. Following closely, metals contribute approximately 50% in multiple projects. The study also explores sustainable design options across CSI divisions to provide insights into building components contributing most to a building’s overall carbon footprint. This deeper understanding of sustainable design principles regarding CSI divisions and their impact on carbon footprint reduction will help sustainable designers and construction managers to implement carbon-conscious material choices and design strategies early in the planning phase.

Keywords: CO 2 emissions; global warming potential (GWP); life cycle assessment (LCA); Construction Specifications Institute (CSI); sustainable decision making; sustainable design (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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