In 2022, the global buildings and construction sector emitted 10 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. That is like driving from Boston to Salt Lake City 10 billion times. 

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the global buildings and construction sector is not on track to be net zero by 2050, the goal set by the Paris Agreement. According to the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance of Buildings and Construction’s (GlobalABC) 2022 report, emissions need to be reduced by 50% by 2030 to reach the goal. However, emission reduction efforts are currently being overshadowed by growing development and high costs of living. 

So, what are professionals within the sector doing about it?

While emissions haven’t declined and there hasn’t been vast improvement in the sector, there has been some action. More countries are committing to and investing in energy efficiency. Certifications verifying that buildings meet certain environmental standards are also gaining traction and support. Perhaps most promising, green architecture is a growing industry within the building and construction sector that is merging design and construction with state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable practices to curb emissions. 

Green architects are working to improve environmental conditions and support sustainable development through innovative, interdisciplinary designs. While the term green buildings often evokes sketches of indoor trees and plants, experts in the industry take a broader view that includes energy budgets, materials, water conservation, air quality, waste, and zoning when designing new houses, buildings, and even entire cities.

While there is no stopping development, green architecture has the potential to meet the buildings and construction sector’s emission challenge. Studies show that improving material efficiency in G7 countries has the potential to decrease the greenhouse gas emissions of material cycles in residential buildings by 80% in 2050. Architects and related professionals’ work with increasing material and energy efficiency, developing new technologies, and implementing more ambitious regulations are essential to lowering the industry’s current carbon footprint. 

In this beat, I’ll explore how green architecture can help address climate change by reviewing the benefits, barriers, and potential solutions in the industry, in addition to interviewing an expert, exploring LEED certifications, and using newly constructed green buildings for future models of success. 

Image Credits: PixaHive + PxHere Images