Hübner, D.; Moghayedi, A. and Michell, K. (2026) Affordable net-zero carbon housing in the Global South: Pathways towards a resilient built environment. Built Environment Project and Asset Management, pp. 1-18. ISSN 2044-124X
Abstract
Purpose – Affordable housing and climate mitigation are often addressed separately rather than together in the Global South. Limited research exists integrating affordability with net-zero carbon objectives in housing under resource-constrained conditions. This paper investigates how affordable housing in South Africa can transition towards net-zero carbon, and what trade-offs and pathways are credible under local market, regulatory and energy system constraints. Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory mixed-methods design combined semi-structured interviews with whole life cycle carbon emission (WLCCE) modelling of a typical three-bedroom house. Four experts in the affordable and sustainable housing space were interviewed and analysed thematically to identify perceptions, challenges, and opportunities. The WLCCE integrated One Click life cycle assessment (embodied carbon) and Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies (EDGE) (operational carbon) to test three affordable net-zero carbon housing (ANZCH) scenarios. Findings – The findings show operational emissions dominate the WLCCE in the base case. Prioritising envelope efficiency plus on-site photovoltaic (PV) can reduce WLCCE by 12–94% relative to a conventional baseline. The innovative ANZCH pathway achieved near elimination of operational emissions but raised embodied impacts through PV installation. Practical implications – This study offers developers a roadmap for ANZCH in coal-reliant economies, prioritising operational carbon reduction, passive design and scalable technologies within cost-effective strategies. Originality/value – Achieving ANZCH in the Global South requires passive design, efficient building systems and scalable PV installations, supported by low-carbon materials. The research informs sustainable housing strategies, balancing affordability and carbon mitigation in coal-reliant economies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | affordable housing; affordable net-zero carbon housing; carbon; emissions; global south; South Africa |
| Index terms: | passive design, interview, building system, energy system, operational carbon, modelling, photovoltaic, affordability, housing, sustainable housing, strategy, affordable housing, whole life cycle, South Africa, operational emission, embodied carbon, efficiency, carbon emission, built environment, mitigation, life cycle assessment, prioritizing, bedroom, methodology |
| Subjects: | decision analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, data collection methods, performance management, Geography, construction type, sustainability assessment, sustainability and energy, engineering systems, analytical methods, energy systems, environmental impact, economic analysis, climate science, financial risk, housing and residential development, architectural elements, research methods, management |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Geographical Context, Urban Studies, Cost Management, Design Practice, Sustainability, Construction Technology, Quality Management, Risk Management, Engineering Principles, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here