Source: DTE

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Context :

1. In March 2025,  UN Environment Programme (UNEP) in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Buildings & Construction (GlobalABC) released a Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025.
2. This report assesses the global buildings & construction sector progress.
3. And also it covers challenges in terms of sustainability, emissions, & climate goals.

Key Data and Facts:

1. Building Sector’s Contribution to Global Emissions:

• The buildings & construction sector is responsible for 34% of global CO2 emissions & 32% of global energy consumption.
• The sector relies heavily on materials like cement & steel.
• They together account for 18% of global emissions.
• It contributes to significant construction waste.

2. Progress in Decarbonizing the Sector:

• Year 2024 was the first year when continued growth in building construction was decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions.
• Because Emissions have stopped rising since 2020.
• Energy intensity in the building sector has reduced by 10%.
• The share of renewable energy in final energy demand from buildings has increased by 5%.

3. Buildings Breakthrough Initiative:

• It was Launched at COP28 by France and Morocco with UNEP.
• Buildings Breakthrough initiative also aims to decarbonise the global building sector.
• The initiative is to make clean technologies & sustainable solutions the most affordable, accessible and attractive option by 2030.
• So far 27 countries have pledged their commitment to the initiative.
• Their goal is achieving near zero emissions & climate resilient buildings by 2030.

4. Challenges and Lack of Energy Codes:

• Half of the world’s new buildings still lack energy codes.
• They are essential for reducing emissions.
• In emerging & developing economies 50% of newly constructed floor space is not covered by building codes.
• The sector continues to be a major source of emissions, consuming 32% of global energy & contributing to 34% of global CO2 emissions.

5. Adoption of Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Practices:

• Measures like circular construction practices, green leases, & retrofitting existing buildings are helping to reduce emissions & energy consumption.
• Energy efficiency investments and the adoption of low carbon materials remain important for further reducing emissions.

6. Decline in Effective Measures:

• Heat pump installations have seen a recent decline.
• It also points to gaps in the adoption of effective technologies for reducing emissions.

7. Investment Needs:

• The sector also needs an additional 1 trillion dollars in investment to meet its decarbonization targets.
• To meet climate goals, global building energy efficiency investment must double from 270 billion to  522 billion dollars by 2030.

8. The Role of Building Energy Codes:

• The report calls on major carbon emitting countries to adopt zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, with all countries following by 2035.
• These codes are crucial to achieving the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.

9. Urgent Call for Action and COP30:

• There is a need for urgent action to further reduce emissions in the building sector.
• countries should include concrete plans to cut emissions from buildings in their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• COP30 is to be held in Belém Brazil.
• it has been highlighted as a crucial moment for nations to submit ambitious NDCs for net zero buildings.

Source: DTE