Quantifying Carbon Dioxide Emissions via BIM: Interlinking Construction Waste with Material Consumption—A Systematic Review

The high level of material consumption in the construction industry and the waste generated by construction projects not only result in substantial resource losses but also constitute major drivers of persistently high carbon emissions in the built environment. Against the backdrop of the global response to climate change, reducing material consumption and construction waste generation has become an important entry point for implementing carbon emission reduction strategies in the construction industry. This paper systematically examines the key applications, practical outcomes, and current challenges associated with the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) to reduce material waste and construction waste generation. Particular attention is given to the carbon reduction mechanism that prioritizes construction waste minimization while using raw material consumption optimization as a complementary approach. The paper further analyzes the technical logic underlying BIM-enabled material optimization and waste management throughout the building life cycle, clarifies how BIM supports carbon reduction by informing decisions on design, material selection, construction, and resource recovery, and examines future developments and challenges in conjunction with relevant technologies and supporting tools. The findings provide theoretical guidance and practical directions for the construction industry to formulate scientifically grounded carbon emission reduction strategies.