From light green to sustainable buildings

Abstract

We live in the built environment, whether in cities or the countryside. The construction sector accounts for at least a third of all resource consumption globally, including 12 percent of all fresh water use. Some 25-40 percent of produced energy is consumed in the construction and operation of buildings, which accounts for approximately 30-40 percent of all carbon dioxide (CO 2) emissions. And 30-40 percent of solid waste comes from construction. In terms of the economy, the sector produces approximately 10 percent of gross world product, and buildings represent a massive share of public and private assets. As the recent economic collapses in different parts of the world have shown, the stability of financial markets is linked with the long-term value of real estate as collateral. In terms of employment, at the national level the sector generates 5-10 percent of jobs, including in management and maintenance.