Buildings
A source of enormous untapped efficiency potential
The buildings and buildings construction sectors combined are responsible for over one-third of global final energy consumption and nearly 40% of total direct and indirect CO2 emissions. Energy demand from buildings and buildings construction continues to rise, driven by improved access to energy in developing countries, greater ownership and use of energy-consuming devices, and rapid growth in global buildings floor area.
Key findings
Buildings sector energy intensity in selected regions in the Sustainable Development Scenario, 2000-2030
OpenThe speed of energy intensity reductions in the buildings sector has fallen in recent years
This slowdown is symptomatic of decelerating energy policy progress, demonstrating that the evolution of building energy codes in particular is not keeping up with rapid growth in emerging economies. To get on track with the Sustainable Development Scenario, annual drops in energy intensity per square meter globally need to return quickly to at least 2.5% – the rates of the early 2000s.
Related fuels and technologies
Related analysis
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Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction 2019
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Multiple Benefits of Energy Efficiency
From “hidden fuel” to “first fuel”
Events
News
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Our work
The IEA is a key member of the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GABC).