New Report: The Building and Construction Sector Can Reach Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050

Backed by over 80 organizations, the World Green Building Council’s latest report outlines key steps to transform the buildings and construction industry for a net zero future by eliminating embodied carbon emissions. The report highlights actions needed across the sector to make significant progress toward cutting carbon and creating more sustainable construction practices.

As part of the 10th annual World Green Building Week, the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has introduced a bold new vision to cut embodied carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and reach 100% net zero emissions for buildings by 2050. This plan focuses on reducing carbon from both building materials and the overall construction process worldwide.

Buildings and construction contribute 39% of global carbon emissions. Of that, 28% comes from energy used to heat, cool, and light buildings, while the remaining 11% is from embodied carbon – emissions tied to materials and construction. WorldGBC’s strategy for fully decarbonizing the sector requires eliminating both operational and embodied carbon emissions.

The report "Bringing Embodied Carbon Upfront" lays out this ambitious goal along with actionable solutions for the entire building and construction industry. The vision is backed by major players, including developers, construction companies, financial institutions, government bodies, and key industry representatives. Some of the organizations supporting this initiative include HeidelbergCement, Skanska, Stora Enso, Google, and the Finnish Government.

This report aims to simplify the complex topic of embodied carbon emissions by breaking down technical terms and establishing a common understanding of net-zero embodied carbon. By creating clear definitions, the report seeks to encourage industry-wide agreement and action.

In the past, embodied carbon emissions were often overlooked, but the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has emphasized that significant carbon reductions within the next decade are essential to keeping global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Tackling upfront carbon emissions is now critical in the fight against climate change, especially as global construction is expected to double the world’s building stock by 2060. This growth will lead to an immediate surge in carbon emissions unless action is taken now.

The new report calls for urgent, industry-wide collaboration to revolutionize how buildings are designed, constructed, used, and eventually deconstructed.

The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) has outlined a clear strategy for designers, investors, manufacturers, governments, NGOs, and researchers to speed up decarbonization in the building and construction industry. This plan tackles market challenges and promotes low-carbon alternatives. However, the report emphasizes that real change will only happen if the industry works together to transform the market.

To make net zero carbon a reality, immediate action is needed. This includes raising awareness, improving carbon tracking systems, setting voluntary reduction goals, and introducing new policies at local, national, and regional levels. The report also encourages using existing buildings instead of demolishing them, prioritizing renovations, and shifting to circular business models that minimize dependence on carbon-heavy materials. To drive industry-wide cooperation, WorldGBC is pushing for national and sector-specific roadmaps, like those successfully created in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, with strong backing from both industry leaders and policymakers.

Proving that zero carbon goals are possible, the report includes real-world examples from across the building sector.

Many businesses in design and construction have already set bold decarbonization goals. For instance, Skanska, a major developer and builder, is helping projects evaluate their full carbon footprint throughout their lifecycle.

Material suppliers are also stepping up. HeidelbergCement is working towards carbon-neutral products by 2050, while Dalmia Bharat Cement, one of India’s leading manufacturers, is aiming to be carbon-negative by 2040.

Cities are also playing a key role in pushing sustainable practices. Oslo, Norway, is leading the way with fossil-free construction sites, while Vancouver, Canada, has mandated a 40% reduction in embodied carbon for new buildings by 2030 as part of its climate emergency response. These efforts highlight the policy changes needed to push the market toward a low-carbon future.

Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council, emphasizes that the new report is a practical solution to the urgent need for reducing upfront emissions in buildings and construction. She highlights the importance of driving action across industries that rely on carbon-intensive materials. With strong support from global partners and endorsements from key players, she is confident that this initiative will boost market demand and encourage collaboration across the entire value chain. This shift, she says, will not only transform the industry but also create positive impacts for both people and the planet.

She also stresses the need to act quickly, reinforcing WorldGBC’s goal of cutting embodied carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 and reaching net zero embodied carbon by 2050, alongside their net zero operational carbon objectives.

Mark Watts, Executive Director of C40, points out that most of the world’s population lives in cities, and that number is expected to grow to 70% by 2050. With cities expanding and global temperatures rising, the construction industry must take the lead in climate action. Since the sector is responsible for a large share of emissions, it also holds huge potential for cutting carbon.

He welcomes the World Green Building Council’s plan, noting that its 2030 interim target is crucial for keeping the world on track to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C. He urges the industry to take action immediately and implement necessary changes to benefit the entire planet. Watts also highlights that collaboration between sectors and organizations will be essential to making this transformation happen. He reaffirms C40’s commitment to supporting cities in bringing these changes to life.

Anders Danielsson, President and CEO of Skanska, welcomes the ambitious goals outlined in the report for cutting embodied carbon in the construction industry. He acknowledges that Skanska has been working on carbon reduction for years and sees an increasing urgency to accelerate these efforts. He stresses the need for greater transparency in reporting carbon emissions across the entire value chain. While tools like EC3, which Skanska developed with partners, can help measure emissions, Danielsson believes that real progress will only happen when customers demand more sustainable procurement. The industry will only fully embrace change when these expectations drive action, and this report provides a clear roadmap for how to get there.

Søren Holm Johansen, Group Executive Director at Ramboll, points out that while much of the construction sector’s focus has been on reducing operational energy use, this alone will not be enough to meet the Paris Agreement’s targets. He highlights that nearly one-third of CO2 emissions from buildings come from embodied carbon in materials and construction. He emphasizes that designers have a critical role in raising awareness and helping building owners make informed choices that will reduce the carbon footprint of buildings throughout their entire lifecycle.

Krista Mikkonen, Finland’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, emphasizes that addressing whole-life carbon and embracing circular construction practices are essential steps toward achieving a carbon-neutral world. She stresses the urgency of taking action now. Finland has been leading the way with its Low Carbon Construction Roadmap, which was introduced in 2017 to support ambitious climate policies. The country has set a national goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2035, with plans to go carbon-negative soon after.

Mahendra Singhi, Managing Director and CEO of Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Limited, emphasizes the importance of making informed choices when it comes to sustainable consumption. He compares it to investing in health insurance, not just for individuals but for the planet as a whole, as it ensures a sustainable future. He believes that every person and organization should commit to producing and purchasing low-carbon products. By moving away from traditional business practices and embracing innovative, sustainable approaches, he sees a way to create real change.

Pierre-André de Chalendar, Chairman and CEO of Saint-Gobain, highlights that buildings contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions. To decarbonize the built environment, he stresses the need for a clear action plan. The priority should be on highly energy-efficient buildings, both new and existing, and a complete rethinking of building design. This transformation must focus on low-carbon solutions across the entire lifecycle of a building, including reducing the impact of materials during production. He believes the World Green Building Council’s report will encourage industry-wide awareness and collective action toward a low-carbon future.

Stephen Smith, Executive Director of Multiplex, praises the bold and evidence-based strategies in the report, saying they will help drive the sustainable changes the sector needs. He highlights embodied carbon as a critical yet often overlooked issue in the building lifecycle that must be tackled urgently. Multiplex is committed to leading by example and continuing to explore sustainability solutions with business partners and industry peers to drive positive change.

Lynn Simon, Head of Real Estate & Workplace Services (REWS) Sustainability at Google, believes the World Green Building Council’s focus on embodied carbon comes at a crucial time. While operational efficiencies and clean energy are key factors in sustainable buildings, she points out that embodied carbon is just as important and must be considered and optimized. She sees the report as a tool for defining industry language, helping projects rethink their impact, and inspiring future developments to go beyond carbon reduction by creating regenerative buildings.