A BIM-based framework for optimization and assessment of buildings' cost and carbon emissions

Global concerns regarding climate change have attracted increasing attention from researchers in the previous years. The building industry is responsible for a significant share of total energy use and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. The severity of this problem has drawn increased attention from researchers in recent times; however, a more comprehensive analysis of buildings' emissions is still warranted. This study aims to propose and evaluate a framework for estimating the total carbon emissions, while also considering economic factors of the project. Focusing on the embodied and operational stages of buildings' life cycle, which are critical phases, the objective of the framework is to provide a straightforward method for optimizing operational carbon, calculating embodied carbon, and quantifying costs and savings. The developed method and findings are valuable resources for designers and decision-makers seeking to make more informed sustainability-related choices. An average reduction of 24.92% in carbon emissions was observed after implementing the proposed framework in a case study, and the economic analysis was repeated in several countries to provide further insights. Based on an economic evaluation of suggested alternatives, energy pricing is a crucial factor in determining the return on investment.