LIFE CYCLE MODELLING OF THE EUROPEAN BUILDING STOCK

The overall aim of the PhD is to investigate how the environmental impact of the existing European building stock can be reduced by measures related to improving the energy efficiency, enhancing the transition to bioeconomy and to circular economy. A first goal of the PhD is to develop a building stock model that is representative for the existing European stock, differentiating amongst others the various climatic contexts, building types and technology, building age and use. A second goal is to investigate which interventions at the building scale level (micro-scale) improve the energy efficiency, allow for an increased use of bio-based materials and enable a transition towards a circular economy. The analysis focuses on the life cycle environmental impact of the various measures identified and their interaction. A third goal is to investigate the impact of these micro-scale interventions at the macro-scale level by upscaling the interventions and impacts to the entire building stock. Via a scenario analysis insights will be gained in preferred type and number of measures to achieve a certain policy goal. Any cross-interaction between the various measures is part of the research. In order to understand the effects of the proposed measures due to market changes and any possible rebound effects related to these, consequential LCA will be used.