The Five-Stage Transformation of the Austrian Housing Stock towards Net Zero and beyond

Unofficial AI-generated summary based on the public title and abstract. Not an official translation.

🔬研究者:Provides a clear staged framework for building stock transformation that can be compared with other countries' pathways.

🏢実務担当者:Can guide long-term planning for building decarbonization, particularly in limited-profit housing sectors.

🏛政策担当者:Offers a staged policy approach for achieving net-zero buildings, emphasizing the need to move beyond energy efficiency to lifecycle decarbonization.

The Austrian building sector accounts for approx. 9% of the national GHG emissions according to the national greenhouse gas inventory, where only operational carbon emissions are attributable to the sector. However, the share rises to 30%-40% if whole lifecycle carbon emissions are considered. Therefore, the transformation of the building stock is crucial for reaching net zero carbon emissions. Using the example of the Austrian housing stock with a focus on limited-profit housing, five stages of this transformation are distinguished: (1) Improving energy efficiency by thermal refurbishment (2) Decarbonisation of heating systems, (3) Expansion to the neighbourhood level (4) Decarbonisation in the whole life cycle (5) Moving beyond net zero through nature-based solutions and carbon storage. While stage (1) has passed its peak, stage (2) is the one with the highest carbon-saving effects today. However, stages (3), (4) and (5) will require further attention if international climate goals are to be met.

• crossref https://doi.org/10.52825/isec.v2i.3425first seen 2026-06-06 05:32:53