5 things to know about carbon-free construction
We spend 90% of our time in the buildings where we live and work, shop and conduct business, in the structures that keep us warm in winter and cool in summer.
But immense energy is required to source and manufacture building materials, to power construction sites, to maintain and renew the built environment. In 2019, building operations and construction activities together accounted for 38% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, the highest level ever recorded.
To ensure that the Paris climate targets are met, the building and construction industry needs to become a climate leader by moving towards net-zero construction. Its CO2 emissions need to be cut in half by 2030 for building stock to be carbon-free by 2050, according to a recent report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
In response, a raft of new net-zero building initiatives are focused on curbing emissions across the whole building lifecycle.
DW looks at five key points in understanding the push to carbon-free construction.
1. Urbanization is skyrocketing, and that's a problem
2. Independent initiatives might have the solution
3. Cement causes more pollution than you would think
4. Scandinavia is becoming a net zero pioneer
5. Diverse sectors embracing carbon-free construction
https://www.dw.com/en/5-things-to-know-about-carbon-free-construction/a-52747374
It's interesting that cement causes so much CO2 emissions, since, once we move away from fossil fuels, we won't have asphalt to pave roads with.
