This year, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) published the tenth edition of its Emissions Gap Report, which revealed that the world must immediately begin delivering deeper and faster greenhouse gas emission cuts to keep global temperature rise to 1.5°C. To achieve this goal, we will need to use the full range of emission reduction options, including the implementation of material efficiency strategies.

The International Resource Panel (IRP) has been providing insights into how humanity can better manage its resources since 2007. Its research shows that natural resource extraction and processing account for more than 90 per cent of global biodiversity loss and water stress and approximately half of global greenhouse gas emissions. This new IRP report, Resource Efficiency and Climate Change: Material Efficiency Strategies for a Low-Carbon Future, commissioned by the Group of 7, points to exciting new opportunities to reduce these impacts through material efficiencies in homes and cars.

Climate mitigation efforts have traditionally focused on enhancing energy efficiency and accelerating the transition to renewables. While this is still key, this report shows that material efficiency can also deliver big gains. According to IRP modelling, emissions from the material cycle of residential buildings in the G7 and China could be reduced by at least 80 per cent in 2050 through a series of material efficiency strategies. A more intensive use of homes, design with less materials, and improved recycling of construction materials are among the most promising strategies.

This brochure produced by the German Sustainable Building Council details the path from climate neutral buildings to climate positive. It includes case studies of climate positive buildings from Singapore and Germany. Finally, it outlines the elements of a climate action strategy. 

The guide of sustainable buildings in tropical regions aims to bring some answers to the environmental, economic and social issues linked to a massive urbanization process and to buildings’ design and conception methods that are often unfitted to tropical regions. It has been designed to serve as a reference for professionals of the construction sector, and more generally, of the built environment, as well as to decisions makers in the relevant areas. More globally, it aims to be a tool for teachers, lecturers and students in building design and construction. It is finally an invitation for everyone to question its professional practices and contribute to the development of more resilient, sober in resources and with low GHG emissions infrastructures. The first part of this guide focuses on designing new buildings, while the second part focuses more on refurbishing the existing building stock.

The guide of sustainable buildings in tropical regions aims to bring some answers to the environmental, economic and social issues linked to a massive urbanization process and to buildings’ design and conception methods that are often unfitted to tropical regions. It has been designed to serve as a reference for professionals of the construction sector, and more generally, of the built environment, as well as to decisions makers in the relevant areas. More globally, it aims to be a tool for teachers, lecturers and students in building design and construction. It is finally an invitation for everyone to question its professional practices and contribute to the development of more resilient, sober in resources and with low GHG emissions infrastructures. The first part of this guide focuses on designing new buildings, while the second part focuses more on refurbishing the existing building stock.

Going beyond traditional buildings energy codes (new approaches): Governments need to check compliance and enforce their building energy codes. The ultimate objective of building energy codes should be to move buildings from net energy consumers to net energy producers. By increasing the stringency of energy requirements each time building energy codes are updated, it is possible to move towards nearly zero-energy consumption for the overall building, including all its appliances and equipment. Using renewable energy sources from the building itself and other neighbouring buildings can help with this transformation, and is key to achieving net energy production from buildings.

A roadmap responding to government leaders’ requests for more detailed analysis regarding future deployment of energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies. It outlines a set of strategic goals, actions, and milestones to reach higher levels of market penetration around the world by 2050.

The report provides a set of projections that might happen given the specific assumptions and methodologies used for any particular scenario. (Page 101-112: One chapter about Buildings sector energy consumption.)

The report gives policy recommendations for countries willing to implement energy efficiency policies. It sets out four specific key recommendations regarding the building sector: (1) Improve the energy performance of buildings components and systems by implementing Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and supply chain improvements; (2) Improve building energy performance by implementing Codes and MEPS, for existing buildings and set up specific norms for new buildings ; (3) Implement energy labels, certificates or disclosure of energy consumption for whole buildings and building components and systems; (4) Foster research and development for innovation in view of net-zero energy consumption in buildings.

The report recommends to policy makers willing to elaborate/implement energy efficiency policies to focus on three main goals : (1) Require building energy codes and MEPS, (2) Aim for net-zero energy consumption in buildings, (3) Improve the energy efficiency of building envelopes, systems and critical building components. Therefore, policies should include (a) MEPS for key building envelope components, energy-using systems, and critical building components, (b) means/tools of Measurement and financial incentives to encourage all stakeholders to improve energy efficiency in buildings, (c) a strong commitment by governments to improve the efficiency of public-sector buildings (e.g. green or preferential procurement policies).

The report recommends to implement policies including : (1) Mandatory building energy codes and minimum energy performance requirements, and addressing (2) the improvment the energy efficiency of existing buildings, and (3) the improvment of energy performance of building components (glazing, air conditioning, and solar water heating).