WorldGBC Advancing Net Zero Status Report 2022 Theory of Change: Advancing Net Zero Advancing net zero emissions is a journey and an integral part of a wider systemic shift towards a more sustainable built environment. Signatories to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment (the Commitment) are advancing net zero by facilitating and accelerating market transformation. In taking action further and faster to decarbonise the built environment, their commitment represents a leadership position within the buildings and construction sector. Through this action, we seek to generate sector transformation to allow mainstream actors to achieve the goals set out within WorldGBC’s Sustainable Buildings for Everyone, Everywhere strategy, as part of a holistic approach that also addresses health, water resources, habitat and other vital outcomes. The Commitment is an example of the Ambition Loop in action — signatories are advancing climate action within their own building portfolios to demonstrate what is possible, and advocate for change through their business activities. Governments of all levels are responding to these signals of readiness by setting policy roadmaps and targets, creating the confidence in investors and supply chains to activate low carbon solutions ahead of mainstream regulation and uptake. The 2021 update to the Commitment advances net zero whole life carbon emissions for the built environment through introducing requirements to measure, reduce and offset embodied carbon. Signatories are required to take all necessary actions to achieve a maximum reduction in whole life carbon emissions for all new developments or major renovations over which they have direct control by 2030, and compensate for any residual emissions. Through gathering data to inform low carbon choices, relevant benchmarks and targets can be set, best practice methods incorporated, associated costs reduced, and greater uptake enabled — accelerating market transformation and leading to significant sector emissions reductions. Why energy efficiency matters — Energy efficiency measures could reduce global emissions by 48% by 2030, with 43% of those coming from buildings. They can also support grid decarbonisation and significantly reduce costs while increasing resilience, durability, comfort, productivity. And these measures are available now . Why embodied carbon reduction matters — Cement manufacture is responsible for 7% of global carbon emissions. Steel contributes a further 7-9%, with around half of these emissions attributed to buildings and construction. More than half of total carbon emissions from new construction between 2020 and 2050 will be due to upfront emissions. PAGE 10
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