Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from urban buildings was the central focus of the third Global Dialogue and Investment-focused Event held under the Mitigation Work Programme from May 27 to 29, 2024, in Bonn.
These dialogues, initiated at the COP27 UN Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, aim to explore sector-specific solutions to limit global heating within the Paris Agreement’s temperature thresholds.
According to the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), buildings contribute more than 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions when considering their construction and use. Thus, decarbonizing buildings is essential in combating climate change.
Existing Policies Fall Short
Yamina Saheb, lead author for the IPCC, warned that current policies have failed to decarbonize global building stock, and without significant changes, emissions from buildings will continue to rise. “We need to avoid emissions from the outset by reducing the demand for energy, land, water, and natural resources,” Saheb stated.
Nearly 240 participants from 75 countries and 40 international organizations attended the Dialogue, held in the run-up to the June UN Climate Meetings (SB60).
Technical and Regulatory Solutions Ready for Deployment
Jan Rosenow of the Regulatory Assistance Project highlighted the rising demand for air conditioning, driven by increasing temperatures, which could lead to unsustainable energy consumption. Rosenow noted that numerous technical and regulatory solutions are available but underutilized. “Energy performance standards are a crucial policy tool that can significantly improve efficiency and should be more widely implemented,” he said.
The design and materials of a building, from its outer walls to its roof and basement (collectively known as the building envelope), are critical in determining its energy needs for heating and cooling. Experts at the Dialogue suggested several innovative solutions:
- Replacing carbon-intensive materials: Substituting materials like cement and steel with natural alternatives such as hemp and wood can reduce emissions and store carbon dioxide.
- Green infrastructure: Implementing green walls, roofs, rain gardens, and green spaces can improve air quality and mitigate urban heat islands.
- Recycling and reusing: Designing new buildings for easy disassembly allows materials to be reused, unlike existing buildings where materials are hard to recover.
Case Studies and Practical Examples
A highlighted example from Colombia showcases efforts to reduce embodied carbon emissions from concrete and cement in the construction sector, aiming for a 37% reduction in emissions as part of the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution to a 51% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2030.
Key Issues and Future Directions
Several issues were emphasized during the Bonn meeting:
- Local context considerations: Availability of local building materials, workforce skills, financing mechanisms, and socioeconomic factors must be considered to accelerate action.
- Collaboration: Effective climate action in the buildings sector requires cooperation between national, regional, and local authorities.
- Sustainable development: Reducing emissions and promoting sustainable development are mutually reinforcing goals.
A full report of the meeting will be prepared following the June climate meetings in Bonn. The fourth installment of the series of global dialogues and investment-focused events is scheduled for late September 2024, with details to be announced.
About the Mitigation Work Programme
The Sharm el-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Programme (MWP), launched at COP27 in Egypt, aims to help the global community scale up mitigation ambition and implementation. The MWP will continue until 2026, holding at least two global dialogues annually.
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