

Meike Siegner
If companies want net-zero carbon offices, they need to focus on building materials
In 2020, the extraction, transport and manufacturing of materials for the building sector accounted for 10 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. If buildings are to make meaningful contributions to keeping global temperature rise to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, limiting emissions from building materials is crucial. To achieve this objective, engineered versions of age-old building technologies, like wood, straw or bamboo, are critical. These bio-based building materials generally demand less energy in manufacturing and have the ability to capture and store carbon through photosynthesis. This is why experts in green building policy, climate science and architecture increasingly tout the benefits of transforming buildings from a giant source of carbon into a large carbon sink.

Readers also like

illuminem briefings
Climate Change

Michael Kril-Mathres
Ethical Governance

Philippe Benoit
Ethical Governance

Alexander Stonor
Biodiversity

Will de Freitas
Biodiversity

Nitza Clavel
Agriculture

Felipe Grajales
Agriculture

Francesco Grillo
Ethical Governance

Alex Hong
Mitigation

Kevin Trenberth
Public Governance

Kasper Benjamin Reimer Bjørkskov
Nature

Arrigo Moro
Adaptation

Matt McDonald
Public Governance

Christoph Grobbel
Environmental Rights

Christian Dannecker
Environmental Rights

Renat Heuberger
Environmental Rights

Marco Hirsbrunner
Environmental Rights

Josefin Nordahl
Public Governance

AlliedOffsets
Public Governance

Mireya Mayor
Nature

Lena Siegenthaler
Effects
