Page 15 - Green Builder Nov-Dec 2021 Issue

THE STATE OF

SUSTAINABLE

BUILDING 2022

BUNKER FUELS
LAND-USE CHANGE AND (MtCO2e)
FORESTRY (MtCO2e) 2%
6%
WASTE (MtCO2e)
3%

AGRICULTURE ENERGY AND HEAT
(MtCO2e) (MtCO2) 31%
11%
FUGITIVE EMISSIONS
(MtCO2) 5.2%
INDUSTRIAL
PROCESSES (MtCO2e)
6%
ENERGY MANUFACTURING
AND CONSTRUCTION
72% (MtCO2) 12.4%
OTHER FUEL
COMBUSTION (MtCO2)
8.4%
TRANSPORTATION
(MtCO2) 15%

SOURCE: “GLOBAL MANMADE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS BY SECTOR, 2017,” WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE

Over nearly two years, the pandemic has acted like a surprise electric jolt

upon the building industry. BY GREEN BUILDER STAFF
What’s not yet clear is whether we’ll use this power surge That honorable intention may become our species’
to accelerate sustainable practices, or whether it will epitaph, but for now, we can do our part in the shelter
make the CO2 impact of building worse. sector, and tackle pollution priorities: the burning of fossil
To create a meaningful impact on runaway Climate fuels for heat and electricity, construction materials,
Change, we need to set our sights on the full-scale methods, and innovations.
decarbonization of our economy, reaching net zero For building pros, that means doubling down on the
emissions across all sectors as quickly as possible. direction many have been moving in for some time:
But are we up to the challenge? Author George upgrading energy efficiency and insulation, encouraging
Monbiot argues that we’ve first got to stop believing in product innovation along with conservation. Let’s take a
“green growth,” and start “using less of everything.” closer look at where we stand, and where we need to go.

www.greenbuildermedia.com November/December 2021 GREEN BUILDER 13