By Gift Briton
Responsible for approximately one-third of worldwide energy usage and CO2 emissions, structures play a dual role as both contributors to and potential mitigators of climate change challenges.
Yet, the latest Global Status Report on Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 indicates that although advancements have been achieved in reducing carbon emissions from buildings, the rate of this progress is still insufficient to align with global climate targets.
"Structures in which we conduct our professional activities, make purchases, and reside contribute to one-third of worldwide emissions and one-third of global waste. The positive aspect is that governmental measures are proving effective. Nonetheless, we need to take additional steps and expedite them," stated Inger Andersen, who serves as the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
As outlined in the Report, governments across the globe are starting to act by implementing building energy codes, boosting investments in energy efficiency, and incorporating renewable energy sources.
Nevertheless, funding continues to be a substantial obstacle. The authors caution that without considerable financial support, initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions from buildings may not succeed, potentially jeopardizing international climate objectives. Should construction proceed with current practices, emissions within this industry will likely increase, exacerbating climatic events and overtaxing environmental resources.
In what marks a significant change over the past ten years, the construction industry has managed to separate growth from escalating emissions levels. Even with an uptick in new constructions, emission rates within the field have not kept pace. According to the findings, stringent building energy regulations, enhanced energy efficiency measures, and greater adoption of clean energy sources are responsible for this divergence.
After the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the energy efficiency in buildings improved by approximately 10%, and the proportion of renewables used in meeting their total energy needs rose by about 5%.
In contrast, more than half of the recently built floor space in emerging and developing economies continues to fall short of contemporary energy-efficient construction standards. Additionally, investments in technologies such as heat pumps, which are essential for decreasing building-related emissions, have decreased.
The report indicates that since roughly half of the structures that will stand in 2050 have not yet been constructed, there is a significant chance to build a more sustainable world; however, the window for action is closing rapidly.
The report emphasizes that worldwide investments in enhancing building energy efficiency should almost double from the present $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030. Strategies like adopting new financial mechanisms, implementing circular economy principles, and enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies could bridge this funding gap and promote sustainable approaches.
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