A guide to decarbonizing the built environment

• Cutting emissions from the built environment is urgently needed if we are to meet our climate goals.
• Buildings account for around 40% of total global energy use and emissions.
• From transportation to new-build and retrofit – here are 10 priority areas for public and private sector decision-makers to focus on.

Having spent my entire career working in real estate, it is simultaneously humbling and daunting to acknowledge that buildings account for around 40% of total global energy use and emissions. 

I suspect that decarbonization will profoundly impact almost every aspect of my personal and professional life – but with creativity, innovation and the use of technology I believe we can deliver the transformation required. Below, I set out a priority list of issues in our built environment where collaboration between companies and governments is urgently needed to accelerate progress towards our common goals.