UN Report Calls for Reduction of Building and Construction Emissions Worldwide

Building and construction consumes 32 percent of the world’s energy while contributing 34 percent of its carbon emissions. The sector depends on materials like steel and cement that are major contributors to construction waste and are also responsible for 18 percent of emissions worldwide.

While more countries are working toward decarbonizing their buildings, slow financing and progress is putting climate goals at risk, according to a new report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC).

“The buildings where we work, shop and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” said Inger Andersen, executive director of UNEP, as AFP reported. “The good news is that government actions are working. But we must do more and do it faster.”

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 – Not just another brick in the wall highlights progress on global climate goals related to the sector. It calls for more ambition in six areas, including renewable energy, building financing and energy codes.

“I encourage all countries to include plans to rapidly cut emissions from buildings and construction in their new [Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)],” Inger said in a press release from UNEP.

Global initiatives and frameworks like the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Declaration de Chaillot and Buildings Breakthrough are maintaining momentum toward the adoption of climate action plans for net-zero buildings in the lead up to the COP30 UN Climate Change Conference in Belem, Brazil.

“Reviewing the decade since the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the report finds 2023 was the first year when continued growth of building construction was decoupled from associated sector greenhouse gas emissions, which have previously plateaued,” UNEP said in the press release. “By adopting mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero emissions, mandatory performance standards and seizing energy efficiency investments, the sector’s energy intensity has reduced by almost 10% while the renewable energy share in final energy demand has increased by nearly 5%.”

Making the use of low-carbon building materials a priority, along with measures like circular construction practices, retrofitting existing buildings so that they are energy efficient and green leases can lower energy consumption, reduce overall emissions and enhance waste management.

“Given nearly half of the world’s buildings that will exist by 2050 have not yet been built, the adoption of ambitious energy building codes is critical. However, data points to a recent decline in highly effective measures like heat pump installations and over 50 per cent of newly constructed floorspace in emerging and developing economies is still not covered by building codes,” UNEP said.

The report challenged the biggest carbon-emitting nations to adopt zero-carbon energy codes for buildings by 2028, with all other countries to follow no later than 2035.

Integrating plans for building code reform into ongoing NDC submissions is crucial to achieving the Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge agreed upon at COP28.

“[A]ll governments, financial institutions and businesses need to work together to double global building energy efficiency investment from USD 270 billion to USD 522 billion by 2030,” the press release said. “Adoption of Extended Producer Responsibility measures, and circular economy practices – including longer building lifespans, better material efficiency and reuse, recycling, passive design, and waste management – are key to help bridge gaps in financing, while workforce development programmes are essential to fill skill gaps in the sector.”