Building sector decoupled growth from emissions in 2023 – but decarbonisation remains off track
Emissions from building operations have increased by 5.4% since 2015.
2023 was the first year when the growth of building construction around the world was decoupled from associated emissions, according to a new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
UNEP and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), who jointly published the Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2024-2025, found that the sector’s energy intensity has reduced by almost 10% thanks to mandatory net zero-aligned building energy codes and performance standards, as well as energy efficiency investments.
