The Energy Transitions Commission (ETC) has released a new report, "Achieving Zero-Carbon Buildings: Electric, Efficient and Flexible," that outlines strategies to decarbonize the global buildings sector.
The report highlights the potential of electrification, energy efficiency improvements, and sustainable construction methods to reduce emissions while improving living conditions and lowering energy costs.
The buildings sector is responsible for one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions result from fossil fuel use in heating, cooling, cooking, and powering appliances, as well as from the construction of residential and commercial buildings. According to the report, achieving a zero-carbon buildings sector requires three significant transformations.
Electrification of heating and cooking is essential to reducing emissions. Gas and oil heating currently contribute about eight percent of global emissions. The report called for a transition from fossil fuels to electric heating and cooking technologies, such as heat pumps and induction cooktops, alongside continued efforts to decarbonize electricity generation. By 2050, electricity could account for 80 percent of the energy used in buildings, bringing emissions from building operations close to zero if the power supply is fully decarbonized.
The report emphasized that energy efficiency improvements are crucial. Without efficiency measures, the increasing use of air conditioners and the electrification of heating could nearly triple electricity demand from 12,800 terawatt-hours to approximately 35,000 terawatt-hours by 2050. Advancements in heat pump and appliance efficiency, better insulation, passive cooling techniques like reflective roofing, and smart energy management systems can limit this demand to around 18,500 terawatt-hours. These measures, combined with energy storage solutions like building-level batteries and rooftop solar panels, would help manage peak electricity demand and reduce overall energy costs.
According to the report, sustainable construction practices are necessary to address emissions from new buildings. The construction sector contributes seven percent of global emissions. With global floor space projected to expand by 55 percent by 2050, the report stressed the need to reduce emissions from construction materials like steel and concrete. It also recommends using lower-carbon materials, such as timber and modular designs, while promoting longer building lifespans and shared spaces to minimize new construction.
The report acknowledged the challenges of implementing these changes. Retrofitting existing buildings can be costly and disruptive, with affordability varying widely across different income levels and regions. The ETC suggested that governments establish clear policies, including phasing out fossil-fuel-based appliances and offering financial assistance to lower-income households. For new construction, the optimal solutions depend on regional climate conditions and building types. The report called for tailored building codes and collaboration between governments, industry, and financial institutions to drive the sector's transformation.
Despite these challenges, ETC chair Adair Turner emphasized the opportunities building decarbonization presents. "Decarbonising the buildings sector is a story of many transitions. It's vital for our climate goals and an opportunity to improve living standards and reduce energy costs," Turner said in a press release. "It is possible to achieve zero-emissions, efficient, and flexible homes with low-carbon building design techniques and technology that runs on clean electricity."