A recent Table.Briefings article featuring comments by IIASA Director General Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber highlights growing concerns that progress in decarbonizing the global buildings sector remains too slow to achieve international climate goals. The article discusses findings from the new UNEP and Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC) Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2025/2026.
According to the report, the buildings sector is responsible for 37% of global CO₂ emissions and nearly half of global raw material extraction. While buildings worldwide have become more energy efficient since 2015, construction growth is still outpacing the expansion of renewable energy systems and the rate of building renovation.
The Table.Briefings article notes that the report calls for operational building emissions to be reduced by more than half by 2030 if climate neutrality by 2050 is to remain achievable. It also points to Europe as one of the few regions where building emissions have declined significantly due to stronger efficiency standards and more consistent climate policies.
In comments to Table.Briefings, Schellnhuber emphasized that the report does not sufficiently address the climate potential of biobased construction materials.
“Biobased building materials make it possible to permanently bind CO₂ instead of merely reducing emissions. This represents the greatest untapped opportunity in climate protection,” he noted.
The article also cites calls from climate and construction experts for greater recognition of regenerative and natural construction materials as part of the transition toward climate-neutral buildings.
Read the full UNEP Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2025/2026.
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