Building sector emissions stall for the first time since 2020 - UN
UN has challenged the world’s largest carbon-emitting countries to adopt zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, with all other nations following suit by 2035.
Emissions from the global building and construction sector have stopped rising for the first time since 2020, marking a critical turning point in the fight against climate change, a UN report has revealed.
The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025 by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), however, notes that a lack of financial investment and policy implementation could still put global climate goals at risk.
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According to the report, buildings are responsible for 34 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions and consume 32 per cent of the world’s energy, highlighting their significant role in climate change.
While efforts to decarbonise the sector are beginning to yield results, the UN notes that major challenges persist, including the need for stricter policies, increased investment, and the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.
“The buildings where we work, shop, and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste. The good news is that government actions are working. But we must do more and do it faster,” UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen said.
“I encourage all countries to include plans to rapidly cut emissions from buildings and construction in their new Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).”
The report also found that 2024 was the first year in which emissions from building construction were decoupled from growth in the sector. UN says this was achieved through mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero targets, higher efficiency standards, and increased investments in renewable energy.
The sector’s energy intensity has also fallen by nearly 10 per cent, while the share of renewable energy in total building energy demand has risen by almost 5 per cent.
Despite the achievements, the UN notes that half of all newly constructed buildings, particularly in emerging and developing economies, still lack energy codes. The report warns that without the widespread adoption of such policies, global emissions targets could remain out of reach.
Additionally, construction materials like cement and steel continue to be a major source of emissions, contributing 18 per cent of the global total. While circular construction practices, energy-efficient retrofitting, and the use of low-carbon materials are helping, the report highlights that more aggressive measures are required to meet climate goals.
UN has challenged the world’s largest carbon-emitting countries to adopt zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, with all other nations following suit by 2035. It notes that building code reforms and their integration into upcoming NDC submissions are seen as vital to achieving the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.
The organisation has also called for the urgent need for increased financial investment.
“To keep up with climate goals, building energy efficiency investments must double from $270 billion to $522 billion annually by 2030,” it said.
It further adds that measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility policies, circular economy initiatives, and enhanced workforce development programmes are essential to bridging financial and skills gaps in the sector.
With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil, approaching, UNEP, GlobalABC, and other partners have pledged to continue supporting governments and businesses in decarbonising buildings and the construction industry.
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