The IPCC report of 2021 makes clear that “global warming of 1.5°C and 2°C will be exceeded during the 21st century unless deep reductions in carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions occur in the coming decades”. To achieve 2°C target, the global buildings and construction sector must almost completely decarbonize by 2050. If we are to achieve the 1.5°C target, the window of opportunity becomes even smaller. The buildings and construction sector contributes significantly to global climate change, with around 21% share of global GHG emissions1. In 2022, buildings were responsible for 34 per cent global energy demand and 37 per cent of energy and process-related carbon dioxide CO2 emissions2. In India, the buildings sector in India is estimated to constitute 30% of energy demand and 25.6% of GHG emissions.

This report provides a brief overview of embodied and operational carbon in buildings and the potential solutions for reducing the carbon emissions.