The world is at a tipping point as greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, intensifying the frequency and severity of climate change impacts.
Scientists have identified the construction sector as one of the largest contributors to emissions, consuming 32% of global energy and accounting for 34% of global CO2 emissions. This is largely due to its reliance on cement and steel, which together are responsible for 18% of global emissions.
The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR), published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), provides an annual assessment of the sector’s progress on a global scale. It evaluates policies, financial strategies, technologies, and solutions to determine alignment with the Paris Agreement goals.
The 2024-2025 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction—Not Just Another Brick in the Wall highlights progress toward global climate goals while calling for greater ambition in six key areas, including building energy codes, renewable energy, and financing.
Global frameworks and initiatives, such as the Intergovernmental Council for Buildings and Climate, the Buildings Breakthrough, and the Declaration de Chaillot, are maintaining momentum toward ambitious climate action plans. These initiatives play a crucial role in shaping Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for net-zero buildings ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Belém, Brazil.
“The buildings where we work, shop, and live account for a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
“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,” she added.
Reviewing the decade since the Paris Agreement in 2015, the report notes that 2024 marked the first year in which continued growth in building construction was decoupled from greenhouse gas emissions, which had previously plateaued.
The sector has reduced its energy intensity by nearly 10% through the adoption of mandatory building energy codes aligned with net-zero targets, implementation of performance standards, and increased energy efficiency investments. Additionally, the share of renewable energy in final energy demand has grown by almost 5%.
Further measures, such as circular construction practices, green leases, energy-efficient retrofitting of existing buildings, and prioritizing low-carbon materials, can significantly reduce energy consumption, improve waste management, and lower emissions.
Despite these advances, the sector remains a major driver of the climate crisis, consuming 32% of global energy and contributing 34% of global CO2 emissions. The heavy reliance on materials like cement and steel continues to be a major source of emissions and construction waste.
With nearly half of the world’s buildings that will exist by 2050 yet to be built, the adoption of ambitious building energy codes is crucial. However, data suggests a decline in the installation of highly effective measures such as heat pumps, and over 50% of newly constructed floorspace in emerging and developing economies remains outside the coverage of building codes.
The report challenges major carbon-emitting countries to implement zero-carbon building energy codes by 2028, with all other nations following no later than 2035. These building codes, alongside the integration of reform plans into updated NDCs, are essential to meeting the COP28 Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge.
To achieve these goals, governments, financial institutions, and businesses must collaborate to double global building energy efficiency investments from USD 270 billion to USD 522 billion by 2030.
Extended Producer Responsibility measures and circular economy practices, such as increasing building lifespans, enhancing material efficiency and reuse, recycling, passive design, and waste management, will be critical in bridging financing gaps. Additionally, workforce development programs are essential to address skill shortages in the sector.
UNEP, GlobalABC members, and other partners will continue to support countries and businesses in decarbonizing new and existing buildings, as well as the broader building value chain. These efforts will ensure ambitious NDCs ahead of COP30, moving the sector closer to a sustainable and low-emission future.
