New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Room to cut energy and emissions from the construction industry
10/1/2024
12 min read
Feature
Reducing emissions from the operation of buildings – controlling energy used in heating, ventilation and small power etc – is only part of the picture. Much energy is used to erect buildings on site, and in the manufacture of their components. Here, Nnamdi Anyadike, looks at efforts being made to cut construction energy use.
The need to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the construction of buildings is becoming increasingly urgent. A recent International Energy Agency (IEA) report shows that the sector is struggling to get on track to meet its 2050 Net Zero Emissions (NZE) targets. Moreover, in 2022, buildings consumed 1% more energy than the year before, with electricity accounting for about 35% of buildings’ energy use, up from 30% in 2010.
The IEA’s NZE Scenario finds that energy consumption in buildings needs to drop by around 25% and fossil fuel use decrease by more than 40% by 2030. Similarly, GHG emissions from buildings and construction sites, as well as emissions from the production of building materials such as steel, cement and glass, will also need to come down substantially if the targets are to be met.
Replacing diesel powered plant
One of the key ways to reduce both energy use and GHG emissions on construction sites is to replace diesel powered plant and machinery with greener alternatives. In the UK, a plan is in place under the aegis of the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) to eliminate diesel use on 78% of construction sites by 2035.