Significant action needed in the building sector to meet climate goals

Brussels – A new study by the Climate Action Tracker has indicated that all new buildings will need to achieve ‘zero-energy’ status by 2020 to reach the climate goals established in the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the renovation rate of older structures will need to be drastically accelerated from its currently sluggish pace.

In order to limit global warming below 1.5 degrees, the report demonstrates that buildings will need to reduce emissions by between 75 and 90% by 2050. The report recommends that EU/OECD members aim to ensure that all new buildings are zero-energy by 2020, with EU/non-OECD members achieving the same by 2025.

In the EU, renovation rates currently languish at around 1% per year. This will need to be boosted to 5% per year for EU/OECD members and 3% for EU/non-OECD members.

The report aims to influence the upcoming review of the Performance of Buildings Directive, which is expected to be released in December.

For more information, see the report, ‘Constructing the Future: Will the Building Sector Use its Decarbonisation Tools?

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