ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Energy Consumption and Carbon Dioxide
Emissions of Residential Buildings in Lahore,
Pakistan
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Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University, Lahore, Pakistan
Submission date: 2019-02-26
Final revision date: 2019-05-09
Acceptance date: 2019-05-12
Online publication date: 2020-01-08
Publication date: 2020-02-13
Corresponding author
Gul Zareen Ghafoor
Sustainable Development Study Center, Government College University Lahore, Pakistan, Pakistan
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2020;29(2):1613-1623
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ABSTRACT
In Pakistan, an increase in the urban population in recent decades has led to rising demand for energy
and so has consequently increased carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. In this study, a questionnaire-based
survey was conducted on a sample of 300 residential buildings in Lahore, and their CO2e emissions
from electricity and natural gas consumption were calculated using IPCC methodology. The results show
that both electricity and natural gas consumption released 7.65 MMtCO2e during the one-year study
period. It was found that income class (p<0.001), house area (p<0.001), the size (tons) of AC (p<0.001),
number of kitchens (p<0.01), building type (p<0.001) and season (p<0.001) had a significantly positive
relationship with energy consumption and CO2e emissions. Conversely, roof insulation (p<0.01)
had a significantly negative relationship with energy consumption and CO2e emissions. The study
emphasizes the need of policy formulation to improve thermal characteristics of existing buildings and
implementation of building energy codes for new housing construction. It is also recommended to raise
awareness among dwellers for the adoption of energy conservation measures to reduce CO2e emissions.