Ingenieur Ingenieur Vol 94 2023 | Page 78

INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
to well below 2 ° C , preferably 1.5 ° C , above preindustrial levels , requires global decarbonisation of the building and construction sector . For their part in this effort , Governments can integrate building decarbonisation into their Nationally Determined Contributions ( NDCs ).
The Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction ( GlobalABC ) is the leading global platform for helping Governments , the private sector , civil society and inter-Governmental and international organisations move towards a zeroemission , efficient and resilient building and construction sector , and its Global and Regional Roadmaps help set pathways to decarbonisation . The measures offered here complement the GlobalABC resources and are intended for senior officials and decision-makers in national , subnational and local Governments .
Meeting the global warming goal depends on all countries having sufficiently ambitious building sector actions in their NDCs and implementing them effectively . National Governments can increase their NDCs commitments in the building sector , and accelerate the spread of net-zero buildings by :
• Increasing the scope of existing building energy regulations and policies to include a greater proportion of building types , to include renovation projects and to address emissions released at all life cycle stages
• Including or ratcheting up energy performance standards for building envelopes , heating , cooling and ventilation systems , and appliances and by making them mandatory
• Integrating building sector actions with urban land-use planning to enable the decarbonisation opportunities in mobility or energy supply and other sectors
• Considering the essential role of cities and their climate commitments as a significant resource for national Governments in planning and implementing building sector climate action in their NDCs
The higher uptake of buildings with zero operating emissions and with very low or even negative carbon footprints of their building structure is essential to the reduction of emissions in the sector . In addition , net-zero buildings improve resilience by remaining comfortable for longer periods in the absence of mechanical cooling or heating .
The 10 key measures in decarbonisation for the building sector are as follows : i )
Establish and implement an ambitious energy code for buildings . ii ) Support the use of integrated design . iii ) Promote deep energy renovation . iv ) Lead by example by decarbonising public buildings . v )
Use energy information and behaviour change to drive energy efficiency . vi ) Promote financing for energy efficiency . vii ) Enable easy access to information on the carbon footprint of materials . viii ) Develop public procurement policies that incentivise materials with low carbon footprints . ix ) Integrate nature-based solutions into urban planning , buildings and construction . x )
Develop integrated resilience strategies and plans for the built environment
Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings ( PEEB )
In the building sector , all trends are pointing upwards , with dramatic consequences for the climate . By 2060 , the building sector floor area will double . Emerging and developing economies in warm and tropical climates will experience the biggest increase . Already today , the construction and operation of buildings are responsible for 38 % of the total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions . The sector consumes over a third of global final energy . The building sector is a sleeping giant for climate mitigation and adaptation .
The Programme for Energy Efficiency in Buildings ( PEEB ) aims to transform the building sector by promoting sustainable building design and construction . PEEB combines financing for energy efficiency in large-scale projects with technical assistance through policy advice .
76 VOL 94 APRIL-JUNE 2023