The Australian Institute of Architects is calling for greater action following a disappointing outcome for decarbonisation at the COP27 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
Noting the development of a “loss and damage fund” but little movement on the phasing out of fossil fuels, the Institute’s National President Shannon Battisson said the international construction industry had to step up.
“Building operations and construction account for about 37% of global emissions,” she said. “As professionals in the built environment, we have a responsibility to develop low or no-emission solutions. And we have to do it now.”
Despite calls for increased action, the COP 27 decision did not call for a phase down of all fossil fuels. It broadly reconfirmed commitments made at COP 26 in Glasgow and included a new implementation plan.
The UN climate talks noted the building and construction industries were not on track to achieve decarbonisation by 2050. Emissions from the sectors hit unprecedented global levels in 2021.
Despite calls for increased action, the COP 27 decision did not call for a phase down of all fossil fuels. It broadly reconfirmed commitments made at COP 26 in Glasgow and included a new implementation plan.
The UN climate talks noted the building and construction industries were not on track to achieve decarbonisation by 2050. Emissions from the sectors hit unprecedented global levels in 2021.
Globally, raw material use for construction is set to double by 2060 due to population growth and economic development, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. While investment in energy efficiency rose 16 per cent in 2021 from 2020 to $US237 billion, building construction, renovation and demolition generated an estimated 100 billion tonnes of waste.
The Institute has welcomed Australia’s recent national commitment to lower emissions 43 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050, however, it continues to advocate for more carbon-reduction initiatives to ensure global temperatures do not exceed 1.5OC above pre-Industrial levels.
The Institute is calling for the Commonwealth and state and territory governments to develop specific construction industry roadmaps for decarbonisation, in line with the UN Environment Program 2022 Global Status Report for Building and Construction recommendations.
Ms Battisson commended Australia, along with a group of 18 nations including the US, UK and France, for signing an initiative to achieve net zero public sector emissions by 2050.
She said there was willingness and technical ability for the construction industry to transition to net zero emissions.
“As architects, we recognise our built environment represents a legacy not just for ourselves but for future generations,” she said. “We are increasingly seeing the outcomes of extreme weather events and harsh environments. Our built environment must be designed sustainably and with resilience.”
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