A Zero Carbon Building Sector by 2050

Buildings - the places we live, work, play and learn - currently account for about one third of global energy consumption. As population and urbanization continue to increase, energy demand in buildings could reach 50 percent of global energy use by 2050.

The building sector is therefore a major contributor to climate change and must be a major part of the solution. Buildings also represent one of the most cost effective ways to tackle emissions reductions. Lower energy use saves money and boosts competitiveness.

Ensuring that all buildings - both old and new - are zero carbon by the year 2050 is a bold ambition. It’s also essential if we are going to keep global temperature rise to below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the figure that scientists say is needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Click here to read more about the possibility of a zero carbon building sector by 2050.