The Role of Sustainable Buildings in Climate Change Mitigation

Abstract

Transforming the built environment will be critical in mitigating global emissions of green house gases. Within OECD states, buildings (in terms of their construction, operation and de-construction) are major emitters of green house gases. Thus far, market forces alone have failed to ensure the widespread adoption of sustainable buildings and thus a catalyst in the form of government intervention is necessary. This paper considers examples of law and policy from around the world that aim to promote a sustainable built environment. To set the contextual framework, the paper details the high-level political and scientific acknowledgement that sustainability in buildings and construction is a critical element in addressing climate change and thereafter provides an example and brief description of an exemplary sustainable building. The body of the paper describes both central and local government initiatives achieved though the conduit of fiscal policy, planning controls, certification schemes and regulation. Particular emphasis is placed upon the necessity to bring existing buildings into the sustainability equation. It should be noted that the focus of the paper is primarily upon building practices prevalent in developed nations, although this of course has a resonance for developing nations that may be adopting similar equally unsustainable approaches to construction.

Keywords: Sustainability, Construction, New Zealand

JEL Classification: K00, K32