Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction

The Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction (Buildings-GSR) 2024/2025, released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Alliance for Buildings and Construction (GlobalABC), has highlighted the growing environmental impact of the buildings and construction sector and warned that the pace of decarbonisation has slowed sharply.

The annual report provides a comprehensive assessment of global progress in aligning the buildings and construction sector with the goals of the Paris Agreement. It reviews developments in policies, finance, technologies, and sustainable solutions aimed at reducing emissions from the sector.

According to the report, the buildings and construction sector continues to be a major driver of the climate crisis. The sector accounts for nearly 32 per cent of global energy consumption and contributes around 34 per cent of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The report also notes that the sector heavily depends on carbon-intensive materials such as cement and steel, which together are responsible for nearly 18 per cent of global emissions. In addition, construction activities generate significant quantities of waste, adding further pressure on the environment.

The 10th edition of the report states that India and other emerging economies are witnessing rapid expansion in building infrastructure at a time when global efforts toward decarbonisation are losing momentum. Global building floor area reached 273 billion square metres in 2024, registering a growth of 1.7 per cent in a single year.

The report describes this growth as “equivalent to adding two Delhis annually.” While the expansion of building stock has slowed in regions such as Europe and China, it remains strong in India and Southeast Asia due to rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and population growth.

Source: UNEP