Climate impacts of timber-frame buildings in a life cycle perspective

Implications of static and dynamic modelling approaches for biogenic carbon accounting

Bibliographic Data

ID11370538
AuthorsAmbrose Dodoo (0000-0002-5220-3454, Linnaeus University, corresponding author), Roger Sathre (0000-0002-1861-6423, Institute for Transformative Technologies), Chiara Piccardo (0000-0002-7944-6739, HOGENT University of Applied Sciences and Arts)
Year2026
Volume117
Pages108213
Publication date2026-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEnvironmental Impact Assessment Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0195-9255 • E-ISSN: 1873-6432
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.eiar.2025.108213
OpenAlexW4415287877
LanguageEN
References cited43

This study explores the climate change effects of building with wood structural frames in a life cycle perspective, with a focus on biogenic carbon. Analyses of a timber-frame building are carried out considering fossil and biogenic carbon flows during the production, construction, use, and end-of-life stages of the building. Both static and dynamic life cycle modelling are used and compared, to understand the implications of different biogenic carbon accounting methods, including a simplified approach and an entire chain approach integrating biogenic carbon flows from forestry, construction, and energy sectors. The findings show significant differences between the modelling approaches. Over a 100-year analysis period, the static modelling with simplified biogenic carbon accounting indicates a building life cycle climate impact of 164 kgCO 2 e/m 2 , and is the same when excluding and including biogenic carbon flows. The dynamic modelling with simplified biogenic carbon accounting indicates a life cycle climate impact at year 100 of 199 and 91 kgCO 2 e/m 2 when excluding and including biogenic carbon flows, respectively. The corresponding life cycle climate impact for dynamic modelling with entire chain accounting of biogenic carbon flows is 51 kgCO 2 e/m 2 . The production stage dominates the building's life cycle climate impact, with insulation contributing the most. Overall, the dynamic modelling of biogenic carbon flows across the entire chain results in a significantly lower life cycle climate impact for the building. This study underscores the importance of robust accounting for GHG emissions, including biogenic carbon, to optimize the climate impacts of wood-based buildings. • Climate impact of building with timber frames is analysed in lifecycle perspective. • Static and dynamic approaches are used for modelling the lifecycle climate impacts. • Implications of different biogenic carbon accounting approaches are explored. • Static vs dynamic modelling shows notable differences in calculated climate impacts. • Entire chain biogenic carbon accounting results in lower lifecycle climate impact

Carbon accounting · Carbon cycle · Carbon fibers · Climate change · Global warming · Greenhouse gas · Life-cycle assessment · Environmental Impact and Sustainability

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