Building on sustainable foundations: climate change and energy efficiency to decarbonize the construction sector
The link between buildings and climate change has long been a focal point of global discussions on mitigation and adaptation. A new report by UNEP and Yale addresses the urgent need to decarbonize the construction sector, responsible for more than one third of global CO2 emissions. With global emissions on the rise, this report provides a blueprint for reducing “embodied carbon” emissions from building materials by 2050. Expert Paolo Bertoldi highlights that creating a sustainable building industry is possible and needs collaboration across sectors and countries.
Buildings hold a significant place in our daily lives, serving as the backdrop for our residences, workplaces, and social interactions. They serve as tangible representations of various historical eras and evolving architectural styles, while also housing our educational and healthcare systems.
Global population growth, increasing per-capita living space, and expanding services and domestic amenities have all contributed to a substantial upsurge in greenhouse gas emissions from buildings. Over a span of three decades, from 1990 to 2019, emissions from buildings, both residential and commercial, surged by approximately 50%.
These emissions encompass both direct and indirect sources. Direct emissions stem from combustion activities, such as heating, while indirect emissions are associated with electricity generation for lighting and the operation of electrical and informational devices. Moreover, emissions resulting from the production of construction materials also play a significant role in the overall emissions tally.
Zero-impact buildings are becoming increasingly common across the globe, playing a crucial role in managing the energy consumption and carbon emissions associated with the construction industry.
A new report, titled “Building materials and the climate: Constructing a new future,” has been recently released by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Yale Center for Ecosystems + Architecture (Yale CEA). The report, developed by experts from around the world, addresses the urgent need to decarbonize the buildings and construction sector, which currently accounts for 37% of global CO2 emissions.
The report aims to unite stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate on innovative pathways to achieve ethical decarbonization of construction materials by 2050. It aims to provide valuable guidance for policymakers, manufacturers, architects, developers, engineers, builders, and recyclers, offering strategies to reduce “embodied carbon” emissions and mitigate the environmental impacts associated with building materials production and use, including cement, steel, aluminum, timber, and biomass.
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