Carbon emission optimization across the life cycle of public buildings: A case study toward achieving the Green Building 3-Star Standard

¹ College of Engineering and Quantity Surveying, Inti International University, Bandar Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
² College of Intelligent Construction and Manufacturing, Sichuan Technology and Business University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 19 June 2026

Abstract

This article examines how an 8053 mm² library can meet three-star green building certification standards by establishing a life-cycle carbon emission assessment framework and quantitatively analyzing carbon emissions and economic-environmental benefits during material production, transportation, construction, and operation. The study adopts the Guanglada performance analysis model, combined with the national standard GB/T 51366-2019 to calculate carbon emissions. Through collaborative optimization measures such as replacing low-carbon materials, local procurement, prefabricated construction, and integrating renewable energy, the total carbon emissions of the project were reduced by 68040 kg CO₂-eq, a decrease of 30.3%, with a carbon intensity of 19.4 kg CO₂-eq/m². Moreover, the significant findings may suggest that the application rate of green building materials reached 73%, meeting three-star standards. However, results might indicate embodied carbon decreased after optimization, with operational carbon becoming the main emission source. Thus, evidence may show the incremental investment payback period is only 4.7 years, with carbon trading income notable. In light of these findings, the study could indicate that these key empirical results provide a replicable path for the low-carbon renovation of public buildings, also offering important evidence for relevant design and decision-making under the dual-carbon goals.