The paper "Towards Zero: A Review on Strategies in Achieving Net-Zero-Energy and Net-Zero-Carbon Buildings" by Hoi-Lam Lou and Shang-Hsien Hsieh from the Department of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University, provides a comprehensive review of the advancements in achieving net-zero-energy (nZEB) and net-zero-carbon (nZCB) buildings. The study aims to understand the innovative designs, techniques, and practices employed to achieve these goals, focusing on embodied carbon assessments and life cycle assessments (LCAs). Key findings include: 1. **Global Interest and Participation**: There is a growing global interest in nZEBs and nZCBs, with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches, energy systems, and governance. 2. **Embodied Carbon**: The role of LCAs in evaluating the environmental impact of building materials and construction processes is emphasized, highlighting the importance of considering both operational and embodied emissions. 3. **Research Trends**: The study identifies three major areas: sustainable building practices, energy technologies, and governance frameworks. These areas cover thirteen subfields, with Italy and Norway leading in contributions. 4. **Design and Optimization**: Innovative materials and calculation methods are crucial for minimizing a building's environmental footprint. Analytical and parametric modeling techniques are used to optimize building design for climate and cost-effectiveness. 5. **Retrofitting Buildings**: The challenge of retrofitting existing buildings to comply with nZEB standards is addressed, focusing on balancing operational and embodied energy and transitioning from net-zero energy to net-zero carbon. 6. **Energy Systems**: Photovoltaic (PV) technologies and the environmental impact of renewable energy sources are explored, along with the selection of appropriate energy systems for each building. 7. **Governance and Evaluation**: Definitions and frameworks for evaluating building performance are discussed, including the need for comprehensive frameworks to guide implementation and assessment processes. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions, emphasizing the importance of balancing energy efficiency with sustainability and assessing the impact of design on emissions and economic outcomes.The paper "Towards Zero: A Review on Strategies in Achieving Net-Zero-Energy and Net-Zero-Carbon Buildings" by Hoi-Lam Lou and Shang-Hsien Hsieh from the Department of Civil Engineering at National Taiwan University, provides a comprehensive review of the advancements in achieving net-zero-energy (nZEB) and net-zero-carbon (nZCB) buildings. The study aims to understand the innovative designs, techniques, and practices employed to achieve these goals, focusing on embodied carbon assessments and life cycle assessments (LCAs). Key findings include: 1. **Global Interest and Participation**: There is a growing global interest in nZEBs and nZCBs, with a focus on multidisciplinary approaches, energy systems, and governance. 2. **Embodied Carbon**: The role of LCAs in evaluating the environmental impact of building materials and construction processes is emphasized, highlighting the importance of considering both operational and embodied emissions. 3. **Research Trends**: The study identifies three major areas: sustainable building practices, energy technologies, and governance frameworks. These areas cover thirteen subfields, with Italy and Norway leading in contributions. 4. **Design and Optimization**: Innovative materials and calculation methods are crucial for minimizing a building's environmental footprint. Analytical and parametric modeling techniques are used to optimize building design for climate and cost-effectiveness. 5. **Retrofitting Buildings**: The challenge of retrofitting existing buildings to comply with nZEB standards is addressed, focusing on balancing operational and embodied energy and transitioning from net-zero energy to net-zero carbon. 6. **Energy Systems**: Photovoltaic (PV) technologies and the environmental impact of renewable energy sources are explored, along with the selection of appropriate energy systems for each building. 7. **Governance and Evaluation**: Definitions and frameworks for evaluating building performance are discussed, including the need for comprehensive frameworks to guide implementation and assessment processes. The paper concludes by outlining future research directions, emphasizing the importance of balancing energy efficiency with sustainability and assessing the impact of design on emissions and economic outcomes.