A new report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) has warned that sluggish progress and inadequate financing in decarbonizing the building sector could derail global climate goals.
The *Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025* – titled *Not Just Another Brick in the Wall* – was released on Monday, highlighting key achievements and challenges in the sector’s transition towards net-zero emissions.
According to the report, buildings and construction account for 32 per cent of global energy consumption and contribute to 34 per cent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The sector also generates a third of global waste, making it one of the largest contributors to the climate crisis.
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP, noted that while government actions are showing some positive outcomes, more needs to be done to accelerate progress.
“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 Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs),” Andersen said.
The report notes that 2024 marked the first year that the growth of building construction was decoupled from sector-related emissions, following nearly a decade of stagnation since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015.
Mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero targets and increased investment in energy efficiency have led to a nearly 10 per cent reduction in the sector’s energy intensity and a five per cent increase in renewable energy use.
However, major gaps remain. Over 50 per cent of new floorspace in emerging and developing economies is still not covered by building codes.
The report calls on major carbon-emitting nations to adopt zero-carbon building codes by 2028, with other countries following by 2035.
The report also stresses the need for greater investment, urging governments, financial institutions, and businesses to double global building energy efficiency investments from $270 billion to $522 billion by 2030.
Materials like cement and steel, which account for 18 per cent of global emissions and significant construction waste, remain a challenge.
The report recommends circular economy practices, including longer building lifespans, better material efficiency, recycling, and passive design, as key measures to reduce waste and emissions.
UNEP and GlobalABC have pledged to support countries in integrating these strategies into their NDCs ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.
By Dare Akogun
