Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a versatile tool that can be applied in a variety of sectors, most notably in the context of sustainable building certification programmes such as LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Over time, these certification schemes have evolved, incorporating innovations in the market to refine the criteria and broaden their impact. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how the carbon emissions generated during the different phases of a building's life cycle can be effectively reduced through simulations performed using specific software, such as One Click LCA. Specifically, the LCA tool was used to evaluate the environmental performance of the "Engineering Laboratories - Spin-offs and Consortia" building (Building L7), located on the Fisciano University campus, which obtained LEED PLATINUM certification in 2015. The objective was to investigate how an example of excellent design could further improve its environmental performance through the use of advanced tools. The analyses showed that design choices, particularly those related to the materials used, have a significant impact on achieving LEED certification. These results also provide valuable insights for the design of future buildings. More careful selection of materials and other design strategies can improve energy performance and minimise environmental impact, creating a replicable model for sustainable construction. Today, the LEED system places increasing emphasis on integrating LCA tools into decision-making processes, promoting market transformation and improving the quality of environmental data. When used correctly, software such as One Click LCA can simplify the implementation of Near Zero Carbon Buildings (NZC) and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.
CORRELATION BETWEEN LEED CERTIFICATION AND LOW-CO2E BUILDINGS: TOWARDS A NEAR ZERO CARBON (NZC) DESIGN
Ida Severino;Giacomo Di Ruocco
2026
Abstract
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a versatile tool that can be applied in a variety of sectors, most notably in the context of sustainable building certification programmes such as LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Over time, these certification schemes have evolved, incorporating innovations in the market to refine the criteria and broaden their impact. The aim of this study is to demonstrate how the carbon emissions generated during the different phases of a building's life cycle can be effectively reduced through simulations performed using specific software, such as One Click LCA. Specifically, the LCA tool was used to evaluate the environmental performance of the "Engineering Laboratories - Spin-offs and Consortia" building (Building L7), located on the Fisciano University campus, which obtained LEED PLATINUM certification in 2015. The objective was to investigate how an example of excellent design could further improve its environmental performance through the use of advanced tools. The analyses showed that design choices, particularly those related to the materials used, have a significant impact on achieving LEED certification. These results also provide valuable insights for the design of future buildings. More careful selection of materials and other design strategies can improve energy performance and minimise environmental impact, creating a replicable model for sustainable construction. Today, the LEED system places increasing emphasis on integrating LCA tools into decision-making processes, promoting market transformation and improving the quality of environmental data. When used correctly, software such as One Click LCA can simplify the implementation of Near Zero Carbon Buildings (NZC) and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
