Targeted Embodied Energy Mitigation in Ethiopian Housing: A Sensitivity Analysis for Sustainable Material Optimization

Targeted Embodied Energy Mitigation in Ethiopian Housing: A Sensitivity Analysis for Sustainable Material Optimization
Email: getahun_at@ar.iitr.ac.in (G.A.T.); p.chani@ar.iitr.ac.in (P.S.C.); raj@ar.iitr.ac.in (E.R.)
*Corresponding author
Manuscript received February 13, 2026; accepted March 27, 2026; published May 28, 2026.

Abstract—Building sustainability can be improved by systematically applying low-impact material selection and strategic substitution, informed by robust environmental performance analysis. This study uses a process-based quantification combined with Morris’s sensitivity analysis to investigate Embodied Energy (EE) minimization in Ethiopian IHDP housing. Analysis of a case housing building revealed that hollow concrete blocks, concrete, finishes, and steel are the predominant contributors to total EE. Sensitivity analysis identified these categories as priority targets for intervention. Scenario modeling demonstrated that reducing and replacing steel and other high contributors to conventional materials offers cumulative EE reductions exceeding 330,000 MJ, a 3.63% improvement over baseline energy. These findings highlight the significant opportunity for advancing the Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy and support rapid urban housing objectives while significantly reducing the environmental footprint. The research establishes actionable pathways for material optimization in large-scale housing, bridging critical gaps in lifecycle assessment data and informing Ethiopian policy and practice toward more resilient, sustainable urban development.

Keywords—alternate materials, embodied energy, ethiopian housing, sensitivity analysis, sustainable construction

Cite: Getahun Ayele Tessema, P. S. Chani, and E. Rajasekar, "Targeted Embodied Energy Mitigation in Ethiopian Housing: A Sensitivity Analysis for Sustainable Material Optimization," International Journal of Sustainability in Energy and Environment, vol. 3, no. 1, pp. 34-38, 2026.

Copyright © 2026 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited ( CC-BY-4.0).