UNEP: Building sector emissions declined for first time since 2020

A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says greenhouse gas emissions from the global building sector declined for the first time since 2020.

Published in collaboration with the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) on Monday, the ‘Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 – Not Just Another Brick in the Wall’ highlights key progress in the sector while urging stronger action on climate goals.

According to the report, buildings account for one-third of global emissions and waste. However, for the first time since the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, the sector’s emissions have remained stable despite continued growth in construction activities.

UNEP attributes the milestone to mandatory energy codes, increased renewable energy adoption, and improved energy efficiency investments.

The organisation said these have reduced the sector’s energy intensity by almost 10 percent and raised renewable energy share by nearly 5 percent.

Inger Andersen, UNEP executive director, acknowledged the progress but emphasised the urgency of further action.

“The buildings where we work, shop and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” Andersen said.

“The good news is that government actions are working. But we must do more and do it faster. I encourage all countries to include plans to rapidly cut emissions from buildings and construction in their new NDCs.”

UNEP said despite these improvements, the sector remains a significant contributor to the climate crisis, consuming 32 percent of global energy and generating 34 percent of global carbon emissions.

It added that heavy reliance on materials like cement and steel, which account for 18 percent of global emissions, also poses a major challenge.

The report noted that nearly half of the world’s buildings projected for 2050 have yet to be constructed, making the adoption of ambitious energy building codes crucial.

While some countries have made strides in green building standards, UNEP said over 50 percent of new floorspace in emerging and developing economies still lack energy-efficient building codes.

Additionally, critical technologies like heat pumps have seen a slowdown in adoption.

The report called on major carbon-emitting countries to implement zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, followed by other nations, no later than 2035.

UNEP urged governments, financial institutions, and businesses to double global building energy efficiency investments from $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030.