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highest rates across all sectors ( GlobalABC , 2020 ). Finally , the impact of the sector on health must also be taken into account if we are to overcome the global challenges . In certain regions , people spend around 90 % of their time indoors — the way we build and use our homes is therefore essential for our well being , and efficient buildings powered by clean energy deliver better air circulation , reduced pollution , more comfort for homes and businesses , and greater access to electricity . However , in 2016 , and according to the WHO , household air pollution from burning solid fuels caused 3.8 million deaths or 7.7 % of global mortality .
Building decarbonisation throughout its lifecycle is thus a prerequisite for achieving the Paris Agreement objectives and UN SDGs . The interlinkages and synergies between the buildings and construction sector , climate action and sustainable development must be seized and optimised , while trade-offs must be limited .
The 2030 Agenda sets out ambitious goals for the achievement of a better and more sustainable future for all . Transforming buildings and the built environment can generate multiple benefits , from climate to resources , to improved quality of life , health , shelter and access to basic services . It is critical for the buildings and construction sector to harness the synergies between climate and SDGs while minimising the negative trade-offs . It is also important to note that there exists no onesize-fits-all solution : synergies and trade-offs vary depending on the national contexts .
It is now necessary to turn the challenge of intensive urbanisation into an opportunity to build better , especially in Africa and Asia where the building stock is expected to double by 2050 . Similarly , the challenge of energy inefficiency must also be tackled in developed economies . In Europe , 90 % of existing buildings were still inefficient in 2017 — given that a typical building constructed today will still be in use in 2070 and beyond , the pace of retrofit needs to more than triple to reach targets put forward in NDCs , yet it is slowing ( GlobalABC , 2021 ). As highlighted by the IPCC , “ integrated design approaches to the construction and retrofit of buildings have led to increasing examples of zero energy or zero carbon buildings in several regions . However , the low renovation rates and low ambition of retrofitted buildings have hindered the decrease of emissions .” In addition , by 2050 , 1.6 billion urban dwellers will be regularly exposed to extreme high temperatures and over 800 million people living in more than 570 cities will be vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal flooding . There is therefore a clear need to implement effective , low-carbon policies and to enable costeffective investments in a net zero building stock to decarbonise buildings along their life cycle while addressing resilience if we are to meet our climate objectives and the SDGs globally .
The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction ( GlobalABC ), founded at COP21 and hosted by UNEP , aims to mobilise all actors in the highly fragmented buildings and construction value chain to raise ambitions within the sector to meet the Paris Agreement goals . This global partnership gathers 246 members including 36 countries as well as the private sector , civil society , research and inter-Governmental organisations committed to a common vision : a zero-emission , efficient and resilient buildings and construction sector .
As such , the GlobalABC is a key player when it comes to accelerating efforts to decarbonise the sector and build sustainably . In particular , the GlobalABC global and regional roadmaps present a comprehensive approach to emission reductions from the built environment along the full life cycle , with aspirational short and medium term and longer-term targets and timelines towards achieving zero-emission , efficient and resilient buildings and construction between 2020 and 2050 . These roadmaps are being cascaded at the national level and support Governments in establishing pathways for building decarbonisation , and local and national Governments are encouraged to follow suit . They can contact global . abc @ un . org in case of interest in developing a building decarbonisation roadmap . The GlobalABC community ’ s work follows the common vision established by the MPGCA Human Settlements Pathway , co-led by the GlobalABC , according to which :
● By 2030 , the built environment should halve its emissions whereby 100 % of new buildings must be net-zero carbon in operation .
● By 2050 , all new and existing assets must be net zero across the whole life cycle , including operational and embodied emissions .
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