Key factors affecting carbon emissions during the construction phase of prefabricated buildings

To explore the key factors influencing carbon emissions during the construction stage of prefabricated buildings in China, this paper initially identified the influencing factors through literature review and semi-structured interviews with industry experts in the Chinese construction sector. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and relative importance index (RII) analysis were conducted based on the questionnaire data from 150 construction professionals. Five major categories of key influencing factors were identified: construction organization management and resource utilization efficiency, quality of project coordination and personnel execution ability, integration of prefabricated technology and digitalization level, green construction processes and standardization of techniques, and temporary energy consumption during construction and project schedule planning and control capabilities. The analysis results indicated that the category of “quality of project coordination and personnel execution ability” had the most significant impact. In response to the identified key factors, this study suggests a comprehensive approach including the establishment of a BIM-based collaborative management platform, the development of specialized training systems, and the promotion of process standardization, with the aim of reducing carbon emissions during the construction stage. This research provides valuable insights for promoting low-carbon development in China’s construction industry.