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In the circular economy (CE), the importance of the evaluation of costs, benefits, and externalities capturing the variables involved in a product's life cycle are gaining attention both in the literature and with practitioners. In many cases, costs are isolated across the various life cycle stages and addressed in fragmented ways. The literature indicates the importance of developing and implementing life cycle costing methods from the perspective of the product/material flow life cycle. Numerical application of the product structure-based integrated life cycle analysis (PSILA) with the externalities demonstrates how this method can assist in the management of circular businesses. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the benefits of using aluminum packaging in the food sector by combining the life cycle costing (LCC) model and externalities in the CE. The results obtained through the LCC concept and externalities indicate an economic benefit and CO 2 reduction. This paper seeks to fill the research gap regarding expenditures and benefits for the analysis of production costs, environmental impacts, and externalities in an integrated manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstracts Energy Efficiency Retrofit (EER) of existing buildings is a key program for improving building energy efficiency in northern regions of China. This paper presents a methodological framework to conduct an economic cost-benefit analysis for EER projects, based on the calculation of costs and benefits over life cycle. By conducting a case study of a retrofit project located in Huixin Western Street Residential Area, Beijing, China, this research empirically examines its economic sustainability. The research found that in China, retrofit of existing buildings generally lack of attractiveness to investors from an economic perspective. The retrofit of heat source and outdoor heating pipe networks is cost effective, whilst buildings envelopes retrofit is not economically beneficial. For building envelopes retrofit, if replacing windows using appropriate material, retrofit of external windows represents higher cost effectiveness than that of external walls. By applying sensitivity analysis, the research further discussed the effects of relevant factors on the economic viability of retrofit projects, and found that energy price is the most sensitive factor, followed by initial costs and energy conservation rate. The selection of retrofit materials also greatly influences the economic outcomes. This research offers directions for policy makers and managers to develop incentive mechanisms and management interventions to promote the implementation of the retrofit program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In environmental systems analysis tools like Life Cycle Assessment, strategic environmental assessment, cost–benefit analysis and environmental management systems, results need to be presented in a comprehensible way to make alternatives easily comparable. One way of doing this is to aggregate results to a manageable set by using weighting methods. In this paper, we explore how weighting methods are used in some selected Environmental Systems Analysis Tools (ESATs), and suggest possible developments of their use. We examine the differences in current use patterns, discuss the reasons for and implications of such differences, and investigate whether observed differences in use are necessary. The result of our survey shows that weighting and valuation is broadly used in the examined ESATs. The use of weighting/valuation methods is different in different tools, but these differences are not always related to the application; rather, they are related to traditions and views on valuation and weighting. Also, although the requirements on the weights/values may differ between tools, there are intersections where they coincide. Monetary weights, using either endpoint or midpoint methods, are found to be useful in all the selected tools. Furthermore, the inventory shows that that there is a common need for generic sets of weights. There is a need for further research focusing on the development of consistent value sets derived with a wide range of methods. In parallel to the development of weighting methods it is important with critical evaluations of the weighting sets with regard to scientific quality, consistency and data gaps. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The concept of net zero energy building (NZEB) has attracted worldwide attention and has the potential to achieve significant energy and emissions reductions. Various technical strategies have been demonstrated to be able to achieve the net-zero-energy target. However, this issue becomes more complex when the economic performances of these strategies are considered. Although studies on the economic performance of NZEBs can be found in the literature, gaps in the research still exist. This paper presents a systematic methodology that combines life cycle cost analysis, benefit-cost analysis, and dynamic building performance simulation to effectively evaluate the economic performance of individual NZEB technologies and holistic technical strategies and determine the most economically competitive options. To demonstrate the application and validity of the methodology, a case study of office buildings in the Yangtze River Delta region of China is presented. Although this case study is ad hoc, the proposed methodology is applicable to buildings of other types and in other regions as long as the climatic and economic conditions are known. • A methodology for developing economically efficient NZEB strategies is proposed. • The methodology combines building energy simulation, LCC and benefit-cost analysis. • A prototype of office buildings in the Yangtze River Delta region is established. • Economically competitive NZEB strategies for the prototype building are developed. • Without extra rooftop PV, designing the prototype as NZEB is economically inviable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing building energy demand plays a vital role in addressing the depletion of energy resources and energy-related environmental issues. Previous research identified the statistical correlations between embodied energy and costs of buildings. However, little research has explored the relationship between operational energy and life cycle cost performance of buildings. This paper aims to investigate the energy efficiency and cost effectiveness of energy saving measures (ESMs) and thereby identify the relationship between operational energy and life cycle cost performance of high-rise office buildings. Five types of ESMs with 32 scenarios were examined using a real-life 35-storey office building in Hong Kong as a typical high-rise high-density city. The five types of ESMs are (1) increase temperature setpoint, (2) adopt daylighting sensors and light-emitting diode lamps (3) replace with low-e glass, (4) upgrade heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, and (5) implement on-site renewable energy. The results discover a U-curve relationship between operational energy saving and initial investment cost of the five ESMs. Moreover, the results show a significant linear correlation between operational energy saving and net present value of the ESMs. Such relationship reveals trade-off and synergy effects largely existing between opertional energy and cost performance in improving energy efficiency of high-rise offic buildings. This research suggests that increasing indoor temperature setpoint should be prioritised in lowering operational energy. The results are also discussed drawing on the findings of previous studies in other city contexts. This research contributes a novel life cycle perspective to future systematic research into building energy and economics. The findings are important to building designers in their decision-making of reducing buildings' operational energy consumption in a cost-effective way. • Cost effectiveness of different energy saving measures (ESMs) varies significantly. • U-curve relation is found between energy saving and initial investment of buildings. • Linear correlation is found between energy saving and net present value of building. • Variations in cost effectiveness of ESMs lead to the found energy-cost relations. • Cost effectiveness of renewable technology relies much on financial incentives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]