Nairobi, March 17, 2025 – A growing number of countries is working on decarbonizing buildings, but the sluggish progress and financing are at risk of global climate goals. These are the most important findings of an annual review of the building and the construction sector, which were now published by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (Globalabc).
The Global status report for buildings and construction 2024-2025 – – Not just another brick in the wall Highlights progress on related global climate goals and demands more ambition for six challenges, including the establishment of energy codes, renewable energies and financing. Global framework conditions and initiatives such as the inter-state council for the building and the climate, the breakthrough of the buildings and the explanation of chaillot adopt the introduction of ambitious climate action plans, nationally determined contributions (NDCS), for net zero buildings in front of the UN climate change conference (COP30) in Belem, Brazil.
“The buildings in which we work, shop and live make up a third of global emissions and a third of global waste,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP. “The good news is that the government's measures work. But we have to do more and do it faster. I encourage all countries to include plans to quickly reduce emissions from buildings and construction work in their new NDCs. ”
In the report on the decade since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015, the report found that 2024 was the first year in which the continued growth of the construction of greenhouse gas emissions of the associated sector that previously applied a plateau.
The introduction of obligatory energy codes, which are aligned with the net zero emissions, mandatory performance standards and the seizure of energy efficiency interests, has reduced the energy intensity of the sector by almost 10%, while the proportion of renewable energies has increased by almost 5%. Additional measures such as district construction practices, green leasing contracts, energy -efficient retrofits of existing buildings and prioritization of the use of low carbon materials can further reduce energy consumption, improve waste management and reduce emissions as a whole.
Despite this progress, the sector remains an essential driver of the climate crisis, which consumes 32 percent of global energy and contributes to 34 percent of the global CO2 Emissions. The sector is dependent on materials such as cement and steel, which are responsible for 18% of global emissions and are a main source of construction waste.
Since almost half of the global buildings that will exist by 2050 have not yet been built, the introduction of ambitious energy build -up codes is of crucial importance. However, data indicates a recent decline in highly effective measures such as heat pump installations and over 50 percent of the newly built footboo space in aspiring and developing economies is still not covered by building regulations.
The report is a challenge for the most important carbon-emitting countries for the introduction of null carbon energy codes by 2028, which will be followed by all other countries by 2035 at the latest. Building and integration of plans for building code Reform into the ongoing submission of NDCs are crucial in order to achieve the promise of COP28 plugs and energy efficiency.
Finally, all governments, financial institutions and companies have to work together by 2030 to double global investments for the energy efficiency of $ 270 billion to USD 522 billion. Acceptance of extended responsibility measures and measures to responsibility the manufacturer and Circular economy practices – including a longer lifespan of construction, better material efficiency and reuse, recycling, passive design and waste management – are Key to bridge the financing gaps, while W.Programs for the development of Orkforce are essential to close skills in the industry.
UNEP, GLOBALABC members and other partners will continue to support countries and companies to decorize new and existing buildings and the entire value chain, including the use of this data to support ambitious NDCs before COP30.
Notes to editors
About the UN Environment program (UNEP)
Unep is the leading global voice in the environment. It offers leadership and promotes the partnership in the care of the environment by inspiring, informing, informing and enablesing nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without affecting future generations.
About the global alliance for buildings and construction (Globalabc)
Globalabc was founded at COP21, by UNEP and 291 members, including 42 countries, the world's leading platform for all built-in environmental interest groups that work for a common vision: zero emissions, efficient and reliable buildings and construction sector.
For more information, please contact:
News Desk, UN Development Program: Unep-Newsdesk@un.org