The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) have launched a report that tracks progress and provides recommendations for governments, industry, and civil society on how to achieve a zero-emission, efficient, and resilient buildings and construction sector by 2050.

The 2024 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction is themed, ‘Beyond Foundations: Mainstreaming Sustainable Solutions to Cut Emissions from the Buildings Sector.’

According to the report, the buildings sector accounts for one-fifth of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In 2022, buildings were responsible for 34% of global energy demand and 37% of energy and process-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. And while energy intensity dropped by 3.5%, there was a 1% increase in overall energy demand and emissions from 2021.

The report highlights policy progress achieved with “more comprehensive climate action plans covering buildings and construction in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” submitted under the Paris Agreement on climate change. However, it notes, “few align with net-zero operational emissions,” and many countries’ building energy codes are outdated.

While investment in decarbonization of the sector exceeded USD 285 billion in 2022, a decline is expected in 2023, falling short of the net-zero targets for new buildings by 2030 and existing buildings by 2050.

The report warns that the gap between the current state and the desired decarbonization path is such that to align with the 2030 target, an annual increase of ten decarbonization points is needed. The anticipated annual increase starting in 2015 is only six points.

“There is no credible path to address climate change without a fundamental shift in the building and construction sector,” said UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen. She identified the fact that half of buildings that will exist in 2050 have not yet been built as an “opportunity for the sector to reimagine the buildings of the future.”

To achieve net-zero carbon emissions for new buildings by 2030 and existing buildings by 2050, the report calls for stronger policies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions from building materials and construction. It highlights the role of national efforts and country coalitions to share best practices and foster low-carbon construction.

Among additional priorities for governments, businesses, and civil society, the report recommends:

• Developing building energy codes aligned with Zero-Emissions Building (ZEB) principles;
• Increasing the rate and impact of retrofitting existing buildings for energy efficiency, from the current 1% per year to 5-10% per year;
• Adopting passive design measures for all new buildings;
• Collecting data via tools such as Building Passports; and
• Providing financial incentives for greater investment in decarbonizing the buildings and construction sector.

The report was launched on 7 March 2024, on the opening day of the Buildings and Climate Global Forum in Paris, France. [Publication: Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024] [Publication Landing Page] [UNEP Press Release]