INGENIEUR
INGENIEUR
disaster risk . Some 1 billion people live in informal settlements . In 2020 , nearly 1.5 billion people in the developing world live in slums . By 2040 , cities will be home to the majority of people who earn less than USD1 per day .
Vulnerable populations do not only suffer the prospect of catastrophic events , they also suffer from the more insidious and distributed losses of chronic risks , which kill thousands in fires and the spontaneous collapse of poorly designed or defectively constructed buildings .
Building codes and land-use regulations have a crucial ( and thus far insufficiently appreciated ) role to play in investment programmes for reducing disaster and chronic risk . To be effective , however , building codes and standards must be part of a larger “ culture of safety ” that includes engineering education and construction skills training as well as legislation , support for implementation , and enforcement strategies .
Green Building Finance and Policy Blueprint for Emerging Markets ( IFC )
Green buildings play a pivotal role in spurring lowcarbon economic growth and securing a transition to clean energy as an increasing number of companies and Governments aim to be carbon neutral by 2050 . As an impact investor focused on pursuing positive social and environmental outcomes through profitable investments , IFC views the green buildings sector as a multi-trilliondollar business opportunity and an avenue to reduce energy-related emissions .
There is a strong business case for growing the green buildings market . Emerging evidence indicates that green buildings , or buildings that use energy and water more efficiently , are a highervalue , lower-risk asset than standard structures . While building green could range from savings of 0.5 % to 12 % in additional costs , green buildings can decrease operational costs by up to 37 %, achieve higher sale premiums of up to 31 %, have faster sale times , enjoy up to 23 % higher occupancy rates and higher rental income of up to 8 %.
Investing in green buildings allows market players to manage potential risks that stem from the global transition to low-carbon economies . Globally , the buildings sector consumes more than half of all electricity for heating , cooling and lighting and accounts for 28 % of energy-related greenhouse-gas emissions . It will require an estimated 50 % more energy by 2050 than today . Resource-inefficient buildings run the risk of losing economic value or becoming stranded assets due to increasingly stringent regulations , pressure from financial regulators to manage and disclose climate risks , changing consumer preferences , and shareholder demands . Non-compliant buildings could become subject to legal action and fines , making them more expensive to operate and insure , and harder to lease or sell .
The floor area of the global buildings sector is expected to double by 2060 . Most of this construction will occur in emerging markets , particularly in middle-income countries experiencing high population growth , rapid urbanisation , and income growth . New construction offers a significant opportunity to integrate energy efficiency into building design from the outset , helping to maximise the financial benefits that come from energy savings and avoid the need for costly retrofits later .
Green building construction at the scale required can spur low-carbon economic growth and create skilled jobs in emerging markets for decades to come while improving energy security , air quality , and people ’ s well-being .
Action Plan to Accelerate Building Information Modelling Adoption ( WEF )
The infrastructure and urban development ( IU ) industry is an integral part of the global economy . Engineering and construction ( E & C ) activities ( the core part of the industry ) generate approximately USD10 trillion in annual revenue , which equates to about 6 % of global GDP . In recent years , however , the industry has failed to keep up with productivity gains made in other industries , hampering national economies ’ wider growth . Digitalisation has the potential to change this situation . Connected sensors , intelligent construction equipment , mobile devices and software applications could boost productivity , manage complexity , reduce project delays and cost overruns , and enhance safety and quality . Within 10 years , full-scale digitalisation could help the industry save an
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