Integration of Seismic and Climate-related Constraints for WLC Benchmark Definition of Italian Residential Buildings

Abstract Establishing Whole Life Carbon (WLC) benchmarks by 2030 is crucial for meeting the EU’s Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) requirements. Italy currently lacks a unified methodology for WLC assessment, though the revised Minimum Environmental Criteria mandate a simplified Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for building emissions. Due to Italy’s medium-high seismic hazard and diverse climatic conditions, defining robust WLC benchmarks must account for these factors. This study addresses a major challenge: Italy’s heterogeneous territory, which complicates the identification of building archetypes. An innovative framework is proposed, combining the Civil Defence Department’s seismic zones with national climate classifications. This dual approach enables context-specific, nationally representative WLC benchmarks, advancing reliable and realistic assessments for residential buildings in Italy.