Energy use in buildings and for building construction represents more than one-third of global final energy consumption and contributes to nearly one-quarter of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions worldwide. A growing population, as well as rapid growth in purchasing power in emerging economies and developing countries, means that energy demand in buildings could increase by 50% by 2050, while global building floor area is expected to double by 2050, driving energy demand and related GHG emissions for construction. Yet, the building sector offers the largest cost-effective GHG mitigation potential, with net cost savings and economic gains possible through implementation of existing technologies, policies and building designs. Building energy efficiency technologies and policies have been demonstrated as cost effective means for collectively improving energy security and productivity, while also improving health and wellbeing, reducing local air pollution, creating jobs and adapting to climate change. Governments are looking increasingly at ways to accelerate investment in net-zero/low-carbon buildings, and the essential role of the building sector is well recognised as a critical element to achieving the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C. In 2016, the GABC released its first Global Status Report, a global snapshot on the status of the building and construction sector.