The building sector turns its back on the green transition, warns the UN

• Every day, 12.7 million square meters of built-up area are built in the world, which is equivalent to adding almost every week the equivalent of a city like Paris
• The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) highlights the growth in greenhouse gas emissions in the field of construction, which reach 37% of the total
• Globally, buildings are becoming more energy efficient, but this progress is too slow to achieve climate goals

Since 2020, climate action measures have slowed down in the construction sector globally. Actions to promote a green transition do not maintain the pace and galloping speed of construction. Despite progress, it is still not on track for full decarbonisation by 2050. In fact, the decarbonisation of the building and construction sector has slowed down, so that it has become a major source of emissions and, at the same time, is an area that is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This is indicated by the Global State of Buildings and Construction report (2025-2026), prepared by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which assesses the progress of this sector in relation to global commitments and the trajectory of net zero emissions by 2050.

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