Buildings are among the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions. These reflect emissions from operational use, but also emissions related to energy used in the construction of buildings, as well as significant indirect emissions related to the upstream production of construction materials. Indeed, in part because of progress made in improving the energy efficiency of buildings, by 2050, these non-operational emissions, including those related to demolition, referred to collectively as embodied carbon or embodied emissions, are projected to account for half of the carbon footprint of new buildings.
Operational carbon, i.e., emissions related to the use phase of a building (e.g., heating, cooling and powering), has traditionally been the focus of decarbonisation efforts. In a recent OECD survey, close to 90% of responding countries had introduced mandatory energy efficiency codes and over 60% had introduced Energy Performance Certificate. However, by comparison, only 21% of countries had introduced regulations addressing whole life carbon, despite the significant scale of embodied carbon and its impact on climate change, and despite the fact that much of the progress made on reducing operational emissions has been through the construction of new energy efficient buildings. In other words, a whole life carbon approach that ensures buildings remain sustainable throughout their entire life-cycle, from construction to demolition, is needed.
The OECD’s Global Monitoring of Policies for Decarbonising Buildings: A Multi-level Approach (2024) revealed that while countries have predominantly focused on energy-related measures to reduce emissions, whole life carbon policies are gaining momentum. According to the report, 43% of responding countries are expected to prioritise these in the future compared to only 14% today. Similarly, policies to increase the circularity of materials, a crucial element in reducing embodied carbon, are also expected to see greater uptake. Currently, only 11% of responding countries set circularity as one of their priorities, but this is expected to increase to 68%.
In response to this growing challenge, the OECD has carried out a Global Survey on Whole Life Carbon of Buildings (2024). This survey gathers advanced data from 15 countries and cities, representing diverse economic contexts, geographic conditions, and governance structures. By providing a common framework for comparison and policy analysis, this report, entitled Zero-Carbon Buildings in Cities: A Whole Life-Cycle Approach, highlights best practices and successful strategies, enabling countries and cities to gain insights into developing whole life carbon policies.
As part of the OECD Programme on Decarbonising Buildings in Cities and Regions, this report addresses a critical gap in global decarbonisation strategies by placing whole life carbon at the forefront of the conversation. It equips policy makers both at national and subnational level with actionable insights, practical tools, and proven examples to accelerate the adoption of comprehensive building decarbonisation policies.