3 target areas for the buildings sector to be net zero

Buildings play a key role in reducing global warming. One third of total energy system emissions are estimated to come from buildings, with emissions from this sector increasing by an average of 1% since 2015 A groundbreaking program A report by the International Energy Agency published last year. Emissions from the building sector can be reduced in various ways, for example by using a clean energy source to power the building, by reducing emissions from building materials such as steel and cement, or by reducing the energy needed to operate the building by improving the energy efficiency of building equipment , such as air conditioners.

An area as large as Paris is added every week around the world, making it important to reduce emissions from this sector. More than 80% of this growth is expected to occur in emerging markets and developing economies.

The construction sector is not on track to achieving zero carbon emissions. In 2020, only 5% of buildings were zero-emission ready, and the ambition is to reach 100% by 2030. Zero-emission-ready buildings are highly energy-efficient and resilient buildings that either directly use renewable energy or rely on a fully decarbonized system an energy source such as electricity or grid energy.

The United Nations, the International Energy Agency and the World Bank have recently published helpful recommendations on how to adapt the construction sector to net zero; These reports suggest that there are three areas where more work needs to be done.

1. Expanding and enforcing mandatory building codes

Building regulations play a key role in reducing emissions from this sector. These building codes can be understood as rules setting out detailed minimum standards for different types of building structures – residential and non-residential – although no comprehensive definition exists. They can define criteria that will help reduce emissions through design and type of materials. According to the 2024 Global State of Buildings Report, by 2023, 81 and 77 of the country’s buildings will have adopted residential and non-residential building codes, respectively, with 80% of them being mandatory.

In regions where certain building codes apply, the stringent criteria are uneven. For example, of the 70 countries with building envelope requirements, only 60 cover water heating and lighting, according to a World Bank analysis based on a new building energy efficiency compliance and enforcement dataset released in May this year. Even among countries with a similar climate, there is a difference. For example, Sweden has less stringent roof insulation standards than Finland.

The region where these codes are particularly lagging is Africa. Although 45 of 48 African countries have some building codes, they lack the necessary comprehensiveness, sometimes failing to cover key aspects such as improving energy efficiency and promoting green building practices or regulations that could help reduce the risk of natural hazards or extreme weather events.

2. Set updated targets for buildings as part of national climate commitments

National Determined Commitments are the mechanism by which a country presents its climate commitments to the United Nations. Under the Paris Agreement, governments are required to submit NDCs every five years. The coming year presents a unique opportunity as countries are expected to present the next version of their NDCs.

There is an opportunity to improve the scope of buildings in the upcoming version of these pledges. As of December 2023, 194 countries and the European Union have submitted their NDCs with 48 updates from 2022. However, only 11 updates have extended to building-related activities. The UAE in its update included a target of a 56 percent reduction in building emissions by 2030 through updated renewable energy codes and initiatives. As the 2024 Global State of Buildings Report shows, such updates are important because without them, these regulations may not meet the high performance standards of buildings.

3. Increase demand for energy-efficient construction equipment

Construction equipment has a significant role to play in achieving the goal of reducing emissions from the construction sector. More energy-efficient devices can provide the same service using less energy, thereby reducing operational emissions associated with operating a building. Energy efficiency and clean energy can be seen as two sides of the same goal of reducing emissions. Take, for example, the nine countries where energy efficiency labels have been introduced, annual electricity consumption has decreased by approximately 1,580 TWh, an amount similar to the total electricity produced by solar and wind energy in these countries.

Energy efficiency labeling is progressing well in developed countries such as the United States and the European Union, but more needs to be done in other regions. The United States and the European Union are among the regions with the greatest impact of energy efficiency standards and labeling programs in terms of the contribution of devices to reducing overall electricity consumption. At COP 21, the International Energy Agency launched a global call to action to double the efficiency of key equipment sold around the world. The call to action also emphasized that energy efficiency benefits should not be limited to a small group of countries.

One way to scale energy-saving appliances is to create demand for energy-saving appliances through bulk ordering programs. In 2011, the Government of India promoted the purchase of energy-saving appliances across all ministries/departments. Such programs enable governments to create markets and encourage public investment. Other private sector initiatives include EP 100, a global corporate initiative of 125 companies on energy efficiency; members saved $1.2 billion by reducing emissions.

Solving the problem of emissions from the construction sector is not easy. However, tackling these areas of work could play a significant role in bringing us closer to the goal of a world where all buildings are zero carbon.