As development increases in Africa and Asia, and the adoption of air conditioning grows around the globe, pressure on the building sector to continue to boost energy efficiency may grow.
While the building sector has made progress in recent years on energy efficiency, trends point to increased energy demand and carbon emissions, according to a recent UN report. “Dramatic action will be needed by governments, cities, and business if the global buildings and construction sector is to cut its carbon footprint in line with international agreements,” the report says. Since 2010, the energy used by cooling systems has increased by 25%, and with increased development in hot climates along with rising temperatures as the Earth warms, that growth will likely continue.
Buildings account for about 40% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and 36% of all energy consumption. In recent years, adoption of new techniques, products, and technologies, including heat pumps, better windows and insulation, energy-efficient appliances, renewable energy, and greener design, have led to stable emissions in the building sector.
But the greening of the construction industry needs to accelerate in order to meet climate goals, the report says.
Related Stories
| Dec 15, 2011
Dayton, Ohio schools saving $2.6 million annually by building to LEED
On average, green schools save about $100,000 a year on operating costs, including energy and water savings.
| Dec 15, 2011
Building to LEED standards can pose new risks for construction workers
Workers on these projects suffer a 24% increase in falls to lower levels during roof work, which researchers attributed to the installation of solar panels, and a few other risks.
| Dec 15, 2011
NRDC charges Maine governor with weakening green wood requirement
The FSC program is administered through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and requires wood to be harvested in a sustainable way.
| Dec 15, 2011
Post-tornado, Tuscaloosa seeks to create walkable urban, retail areas
Block sizes initially were limited to a maximum perimeter of 1,750 feet, with no side of the block being longer than 500 feet.
| Dec 15, 2011
Allentown, Pa. city council asked to repeal union-friendly law
The mayor of Allentown, Pa. asked the City Council to repeal a year-old ordinance that forces contractors to hire union workers for large city projects funded with state and federal dollars.
| Dec 13, 2011
LEED-EB outpaces LEED for new construction
The U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC's) LEED certifications for existing buildings standard is outpacing LEED for new buildings for the first time.
| Dec 13, 2011
Regulators charge pervasive abuse of construction workers in Connecticut
Federal and state regulators say they have uncovered what they call "widespread noncompliance" with minimum wage and overtime laws in Connecticut's construction industry.
| Dec 13, 2011
Philadelphia mayor signs order for project labor agreements
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter signed an executive order establishing project labor agreements for major public works projects in Philadelphia.
| Dec 13, 2011
Improved code requirements for attic ventilation
The Roof Assembly Ventilation Coalition (RAVC) participated in the development of the code.
| Dec 12, 2011
LEED-EB Outpaces LEED for New Construction
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC’s) LEED certifications for existing buildings standard is outpacing LEED for new buildings for the first time.
