Field 3 of 10 · Boundary: Climate change
Buildings & Construction
The problem
Buildings use about a third of the world’s energy, and making cement and steel adds emissions before anyone moves in. Renovating existing buildings matters as much as building new ones.
Who may be affected
Tenants with high energy bills in poorly insulated homes, and owners who cannot afford to renovate.
34%
of global CO2 emissions come from buildings and construction
UNEP and GlobalABC, Global Status Report 2024/25
32%
of global energy use comes from buildings and construction
UNEP and GlobalABC, Global Status Report 2024/25
Idea directions
- One-stop renovation service for apartment buildings
- Marketplaces for reused building materials
Sources are named under each number. Idea directions are prompts, not recommendations.