A framework for prioritising decisions in zero carbon building design

The global imperative to combat climate change, as exemplified by the Paris Agreement, presents significant challenges for building designers, developers, and owners, urging them to consider the broader implications of their decisions in achieving carbon reduction targets. While extensive literature exists on zero carbon buildings, limited research has focused on the factors that influence the decisions of these key decision-makers across the building value chain. This study seeks to identify and prioritise key decision variables essential for achieving zero-carbon buildings and to propose a framework to guide decision-making towards zero carbon building design. Using the Voting Analytic Hierarchy Process (VAHP), the study evaluates the relative importance of key decision variables in the design and delivery of zero-carbon buildings. The results reveal that cost considerations, particularly initial capital investment, often dominate building design decisions, overshadowing life cycle environmental performance. In response, a compensatory decision framework is introduced, offering a systematic and balanced approach to project-level decision-making. By incorporating multiple decision criteria the framework aligns economic incentives with environmental objectives, facilitating more sustainable decision-making in the building sector. These findings provide a foundation for the development of effective policies to accelerate the decarbonisation of the building industry and ensure that long-term sustainability is prioritised in construction projects. • Limited research on stakeholder decision-making strategies in zero carbon buildings. • VAHP prioritises key decision variables in zero carbon building design. • Profitability and affordability drive decarbonisation decisions, not environmental motives. • A compensatory framework aligns economic incentives with environmental goals.