The built environment sector is already responsible for 37% of global emissions, with rapid urbanisation and no end in sight further increasing the burden on the planet.
At the current pace, the world is adding buildings equivalent to the size of Paris every five days. Is there a way to help the construction sector – the most polluting and toughest to decarbonise?
“Building Materials And The Climate: Constructing A New Future”
A report published Tuesday by the UNEP and the Yale Centre for Ecosystems + Architecture (Yale CEA), under the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), promises massive emission cuts in the polluting sector.
The report offers a three-pronged Avoid-Shift-Improve solution to reduce emissions and the negative impacts on nature from the production and deployment of building materials.
Policymakers, manufacturers, developers, engineers, architects, builders and recyclers should carefully study the report, “Building materials and the climate: Constructing a new future”.
The three-pronged solution must be adopted throughout the building process to ensure emissions are slashed and ecosystems are protected. In its implementation, the solution also calls for sensitivity to local cultures and climates.
Understanding Avoid-Shift-Improve
AVOID waste through a circular approach. It could be done through less construction by repurposing existing buildings. Moreover, elevated attention must be given to materials that have a lower carbon footprint as well as the practice of reusing and recycling.
SHIFT to renewable bio-based building materials sourced through ethical and sustainable means, including bamboo, timber and biomass. The shift could lead to a substantial drop in carbon emissions. But more policy and financial support is necessary for widespread adoption.
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IMPROVE decarbonisation of conventional materials that cannot be replaced. This solution mainly concerns the processing of concrete, bricks, steel and glass. Priorities should be placed on innovation, reused and recycled materials, and electrifying production with renewables.
