Nearly 40% of global CO2 emissions come from our buildings. In large cities they account for nearly 70%. Our buildings may hold the key to achieving net zero.
Europe’s buildings contain more than 30,000km2 of floor space – an area comparable in size to Belgium. Much of it is old: about 65% of Europe’s residential buildings were constructed before the 1980s. Yet while we treasure the look and feel of many of our historic buildings, they could be costing the earth.
If we are to meet our climate ambitions, we must invest in making buildings greener and more efficient.
Europe’s surging energy prices remind us that there are other reasons to do so. In the UK, regulated fuel prices will rise by 50%, stretching the budgets of vulnerable households and raising the threat of fuel poverty.
Local leadership can make the difference
Our cities and regional leaders have an important role in greening our buildings. Subnational governments are familiar with local building stock, hold regeneration funds and enforce building and zoning regulations. Of the cities and regions that responded to the OECD Survey, 86% already have plans to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
If we are to meet our climate ambitions, we must invest in making buildings greener and more efficient.
Setting the pace
Subnational governments directly own and manage many buildings – accounting for 20-30% of all non-residential building stock in countries such as France or Japan. Encouragingly, 95% of surveyed cities and regions have energy efficiency policies for their public buildings, 61% require higher energy efficiency than those demanded nationally and 27% call for net zero emissions. Many cities like Geneva and Vienna have started to require higher energy performance in public buildings and subsidised housing.”
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