Lessons learnt from embodied GHG emission calculations in zero emission neighbourhoods (ZENs) from the Norwegian ZEN research centre

• Lessons learnt extracted from eight zero emission neighbourhoods in Norway. • GHG emission accounting presented for eight neighbourhood case studies. • Transport, energy, and materials are the main drivers of embodied emissions in ZENs. • Further climate mitigation strategies required to reach net zero in ZENs. This article presents, evaluates, discusses, and extracts lessons learnt on the calculation methodologies and design choices relating to embodied greenhouse gas (GHG) emission calculations from zero emission neighbourhood (ZEN) case studies from the Norwegian ZEN research centre. In all, eight case studies are assessed, varying in size, phase of development, typology, and location. The embodied GHG emission results show life cycle modules B8 operational transport (24 – 75 %), B6 operational energy (12 – 57 %), and A1 − A3 material production (20 – 38 %) contribute the most to total GHG emissions, as well as the main building (24 – 91 %), heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installations (15 – 30 %), and electric power (4 – 22 %). In summary, more consistent calculation methodologies and system boundaries are required at the neighbourhood level to improve transparency, and further climate mitigation strategies are required to achieve a net zero GHG emission balance.