Low carbon of lime plaster repair: life cycle assessment approach in achieving sustainable maintenance management for heritage buildings

Abstract

Purpose

Low carbon repair epitomises sustainable maintenance management for heritage buildings. However, there is little recognition of this aspect, coupled with impractical assessment of repair impact strategies. This paper aims to present a decision-making process based on life cycle assessment (LCA) approach of lime plaster repair options for heritage buildings.

Design/methodology/approach

Calculation procedures of LCA were carried out to enable sustainable maintenance management appraisal for heritage buildings upon embodied carbon expenditure expended from lime plaster repair during the maintenance phase.

Findings

Calculation procedures could be understood as a carbon LCA of lime plaster repair and recognised in reducing CO₂ emissions. This underpins low carbon of lime plaster repair in achieving sustainable maintenance management of heritage buildings.

Practical implications

It must be emphasised that the LCA approach is not limited to heritage buildings and can be applied to any repair types, materials used and building forms. This supports environmentally focused economies and promotes sustainable maintenance management solutions.

Social implications

The LCA approach highlights the efficiency of repair impact strategies through evaluation of low carbon repairs options.

Originality/value

The LCA approach results show that low carbon repair, contextualised within maintenance management, relays the “true” embodied carbon expenditure and stimulates sustainable development of heritage buildings.

Citation

Kayan, B.A., Jitilon, D.S.K. and Azaman, M.N.M. (2021), "Low carbon of lime plaster repair: life cycle assessment approach in achieving sustainable maintenance management for heritage buildings", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 11 No. 4, pp. 596-613. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-05-2020-0068