2018 Global Status Report

Buildings construction and operations accounted for 36% of global final energy use and 39% of energy‐related CO2 emissions in 2017. The global average building energy intensity per unit of floor area needs to be at least 30% lower than current levels to put the sector in line with sustainable development ambitions, but policies and investments are not improving quickly enough. The positive news is that the social and economic benefits of energy-efficient, resilient and sustainable buildings are already at hand and ready for the taking. This Global Status Report documents the status and trends of key indicators for energy use, emissions, technologies, policies, and investments to track the buildings and construction sector, and it highlights examples of how countries, cities, organisations and other stakeholders are already working towards sustainable buildings and construction.