Building whole-life carbon emissions arise from embodied carbon (EC) and operational carbon (OC). Reducing both is vital to achieving net-zero targets. Besides optimizing structural design to minimize material use, selecting low-carbon materials is a key strategy for EC reduction. For OC, mechanical system optimization has been well studied, while the influence of passive design remains less explored. This study fills this gap by systematically analyzing the CO 2 reduction potential of low-carbon materials and passive design strategies and their integration on a typical single-family house in Vancouver, BC, Canada. A material inventory was developed, covering conventional and regionally sourced low-carbon materials, for practical substitution scenario design. Three passive measures were also sourced from regional building codes to investigate their impact on OC with variable performance levels. Results suggest that Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is the most effective substitute for EC reduction within the defined system boundary, followed by green concrete and PVC window frames. At a whole-building level with all optimal material substitutes, EC reduced by up to 38.7%. Among passive measures, window glass properties appear to be more effective than airtightness or orientation in the Vancouver climate. Collectively, these passive design strategies cut OC by 53.6% with the original material condition. Combining optimal low-carbon material substitution with these passive designs achieves a total carbon reduction of 53.8% (140,235 kg CO 2 e). Under the future climate, total OC increases by 34.4% in mid-century (2041-2060) and 22.8% in late-century (2081-2100) typical meteorological years compared with the lowest-GHG configuration under the current climate. • Developed a material inventory with embodied carbon (EC) and thermal property data. • CLT offers the greatest EC reduction, followed by green concrete, and PVC. • 2380 simulations to assess operational carbon for material and passive design. • Achieved 53.8% CO 2 reduction for the optimal configuration. • Individually, window outperforms material substitution, airtightness and orientation.
Liu et al. (Wed,) studied this question.