ETC report details pathways to decarbonise global building sector

New Report from Energy Transitions Commission on Buildings Sector Decarbonisation (PRNewsfoto/Energy Transitions Commission)

Ontario Construction News staff writer

A new report from the Energy Transitions Commission (ETC), Achieving Zero-Carbon Buildings: Electric, Efficient and Flexible, outlines the global buildings sectorโ€™s emissions and energy use, and describes how electrification, efficiency, and flexibility can decarbonise buildings, improve living standards, and reduce energy costs.

The global buildings sector accounts for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions (12.3 GtCO2 in 2022), mainly due to fossil fuel use in heating, cooling, cooking, lighting, powering appliances, and building construction.

The report highlights three key priorities for achieving zero-carbon buildings:

Electrification of Heating and Cooking: Decarbonising heating and cooking is crucial. Gas and oil heating account for 8% of global emissions, or 3 GtCO2. Transitioning to electric and efficient technologies, such as heat pumps and electric hobs, is essential. By 2050, 80% of energy used in buildings could be electricity, bringing emissions from buildings close to zero if electricity generation is also decarbonised.

Improving Energy Efficiency: Without energy efficiency improvements, rising demand for air conditioning and electrified heating and cooking could nearly triple electricity demand for buildings by 2050. The report suggests this could be reduced to 18,500 TWh by enhancing appliance efficiency, adopting passive heating and cooling designs, and using smart building management systems.

Low-Carbon Building Construction: Construction contributes to 7% of global emissions annually, or 2.5 GtCO2. With global building floor area set to grow by 55% by 2050, reducing emissions from construction materials like steel and cement is essential. The report also advocates for using fewer materials and repurposing existing buildings.

Adair Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission, said decarbonising buildings is vital for climate goals and offers the opportunity to improve living standards and reduce energy costs. โ€œElectric heating and cooking technologies will improve air quality and lower running costs, while cooling is essential as global warming intensifies,โ€ Turner said.

The report also discusses challenges in decarbonising both existing and new buildings, including high upfront costs for retrofitting and varying solutions based on regional climates. The ETC calls for strong policy support, including clear targets, financial incentives for low-income households, and international cooperation.

โ€œCollaboration across sectors is crucial for cutting carbon emissions and improving quality of life through measures like reducing fuel poverty,โ€ said Stephen Hill, sustainability and building performance expert at Arup.

The report, developed in collaboration with the ETCโ€™s global coalition of members, including Arup, bp, HSBC, Iberdrola, Schneider Electric and Shell outlines seven challenges related to building decarbonisation, including electrifying heating, improving access to clean cooking, and managing peak electricity demand. It also emphasises the need for tailored solutions based on regional circumstances.

For more information, download the full report: Achieving Zero-Carbon Buildings: Electric, Efficient and Flexible.

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