Transition to Sustainable Buildings

Buildings represent the largest energy-consuming sector in the economy, with over one-third of all final energy and half of global electricity consumed there. As a result, they are also responsible for approximately one-third of global carbon emissions. With an expected population increase of 2.5 billion people by 2050, and given improvements in economic development and living standards, energy use in the buildings sector is set to rise sharply, placing additional pressure on the energy system. Within the existing built environment, deep renovations with best available technology and comprehensive building policies can significantly reduce energy demand. However, technologies and measures already exist that allow the buildings sector to be more energy efficient and sustainable, and thus to play its part in transforming the energy sector. This publication highlights a path forward for the buildings sector to be much less energy and carbon intensive, while investing in high-performance buildings and highly efficient products.