A METHODOLOGY TO ASSES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF EDUCATIONAL BUILDINGS IN QATAR WITH A CASE STUDY

Abstract

Addressing the urgent global call for sustainable solutions in the building sector, this study embarked on suggesting an approach to investigate the life cycle sustainability analysis of the school buildings in Qatar in order to determine the provisions to improve the sustainability performance, and investigating the feasibility of achieving a net-zero carbon operational status for the school buildings in Qatar. This study contributes to knowledge by developing and using a comprehensive life cycle analysis methodology for a school building. It considers scope 2 emissions, which includes the embodied carbon and operational use carbon of the buildings. One of the main suggestions was installation of the photovoltaic solar panels (PV) to produce zero carbon electricity. Before installation of PVs, embodied carbon was 23% of the total life cycle carbon emissions while the operational carbon dominated with the77%. To evaluate different coverage areas of PV installations on the school's rooftop, the proportion essential for neutralizing operational carbon emissions during the operational phase was identified. Findings reveal that a 48% coverage of the school's rooftop with PV panels is pivotal in achieving the operational carbon balance, turning the establishment into a carbon-neutral entity. Moreover, surpassing this coverage threshold can potentially position the school as an energy surplus generator, indicating the school's prospective role as a local energy contributor. A basic cost benefit analysis suggests that the PV system is not economically viable, however, in future work, a detailed economic assessment has been suggested to conclude this with greater confidence. In summary, this project contributes to knowledge by (i) presenting a LCA methodology for a non-domestic building in Qatar (ii) Presenting improvement suggestions to make the building carbon neutral. In view of the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals, this project contributes to SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy), SDG 9 (Industry innovation and infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). Finally, this project is also in line with the Qatar 2030 vision, as it promotes sustainable development and environmental preservation. Such results should help decision makers in the future to consider solutions and assessments to develop low or zero carbon buildings in Qatar.