As a new study reveals, these are just the surface crises plaguing the global construction sector. The report demonstrates that the carbon footprint is on course to double by 2050. This $8 billion increase is a really serious threat to the efforts led by these Reclaimers and others to secure these climate neutrality goals established by the Paris Agreement. Our research provides the first national and most detailed analysis of construction emissions ever conducted. It covers a multitude of developments in the 49 countries and regions analyzed from 1995 to 2022.
The construction industry now accounts for around 35 percent of global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. This constitutes a huge jump from about 20% in 1995. As things stand, the sector is sure to bust its share of the annual global carbon budget required to limit warming below 2°C. That could be as early as 2040.
Key Drivers of Emissions
The analysis shows that cementitious materials, bricks, and metals are primarily responsible for these emissions. Collectively, the two make up more than 57 percent of the sector’s total output. In 2022, these materials combined accounted for 55% of the climate pollution from the construction industry.
Further, glass, plastics, chemicals and bio-based materials contributed 6% to the total emissions. Transport, services, machinery and on site activities made up a large 37%. This uneven distribution of emissions highlights the acute importance of a materials shift within the construction industry.
“The study shows that the construction sector now drives one-third of global CO₂ emissions, up from around 20% in 1995. If current trends continue, the sector can exceed the 2°C per annum carbon budget earliest by 2040.” – Chaohui Li, Peking University
Implications for Climate Goals
The findings should greatly alarm anyone who cares about the construction sector’s impact on achieving global climate goals. Between 2023 and 2050, construction-related cumulative emissions are projected to be 440 gigatons of CO₂—on par with the entirety of emissions produced in the last hundred years. This total would use up the entire rest of the remaining global carbon budget for keeping temperature increase to under 1.5°C.
The study warns that without significant changes in materials and practices, the construction sector alone could deplete the carbon budget necessary for maintaining climate stability within the next two decades. Such a situation would be a disastrous blow against all endeavors to reach the goals set out by the Paris Agreement.
“Between 2023 and 2050, cumulative construction-related emissions are expected to reach 440 gigatons of CO₂. This is enough to consume the entire remaining global carbon budget for 1.5°C.” – Prajal Pradhan, University of Groningen
Urgent Need for Material Innovation
Experts agree that we must meet these challenges directly. This doesn’t fall in line with conventional sourcing and use of materials in construction, meaning we need a paradigm shift. We need to move away from these materials like cement, steel and bricks,” says Jürgen Kropp from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. He’s convinced that delivering systemic changes throughout supply chains involves pursuing creative new directions.
“Tipping full supply-chain-scale changes ultimately requires structural shifts material-wise, reducing reliance on traditional materials like cement, steel, and bricks, while exploring new alternatives.” – Jürgen Kropp, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, Director General of IIASA, asserts that humanity’s current dependency on these conventional materials has led to a precarious situation.
“Humanity has literally built itself into a corner with steel and cement.” – Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, IIASA Director General
He is a global ambassador for a new materials revolution focused on circularity, innovation, and collaboration across the built world. This transformation could potentially turn a significant climate challenge into an opportunity for sustainable development.
“To meet the Paris goals, we must reinvent the very materials that shape our cities. A global material revolution rooted in circularity, innovation, and cooperation can turn the construction sector from a climate problem into a cornerstone of a sustainable and resilient future.” – Hans Joachim (John) Schellnhuber, IIASA Director General