PhD Advisor: Professor Sami G. Al-Ghamdi

Abstract:
Saudi Arabia’s rapid urban development and net-zero 2060 ambition highlight the need to address embodied carbon (EC) in buildings, yet national benchmarks remain unavailable. This dissertation develops an integrated EC benchmarking framework for Saudi residential buildings through four studies: a global literature review, validation of empirical and archetype-based LCA methods, development of bottom-up benchmarks, and establishment of carrying-capacity-based top-down targets. The bottom-up benchmark ranges from 722 to 810 kg CO₂e/m², while 120 top-down scenarios reveal a substantial gap between current construction practices and environmentally sustainable limits. The research provides a scientific foundation for EC benchmarking, emissions reduction targets, and policy development in Saudi Arabia.

Bio:
Basit earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering for Sustainability from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, in 2022. He began his career as a civil engineering trainee in India before focusing on environmental sustainability. As a Master’s thesis student in the MAT4EN2 lab "Giulio Natta" at Politecnico di Milano, he gained expertise in sustainable engineering practices. Following this, Basit worked as a Research Specialist in Vienna, Austria, where he specialized in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies. In 2023, he joined KAUST as a Ph.D. student, leveraging his strong background in environmental engineering to advance research in sustainability, carbon footprint and LCA, aiming to contribute to sustainable development through innovative solutions.