Construction emissions set to double by 2050

Global construction emissions have doubled in three decades and are projected to double again by 2050, potentially derailing the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target, according to research published in Nature.

The sector accounted for 33% of total carbon emissions in 2022, up from 20% in 1995, with cement-based materials responsible for over half of construction’s carbon footprint. Transport, machinery and on-site activities contributed 37%, while glass, plastics and other materials made up 6%.

The emissions profile has shifted significantly, with materials now driving exponential growth compared to historical patterns where on-site services dominated the carbon footprint. Developed markets have shown relatively stable emissions, while China’s share surged from 43% to 73% between 1995 and 2022, and Brazil’s climbed from 28% to 57%.

With global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, an increase of 80 million, residential and infrastructure demand will intensify pressure on the sector.

The European and Chinese research team calls for “structural transformation” to overcome the industry’s “historical inertia,” advocating reduced reliance on cement, steel and bricks in favor of low-carbon alternatives such as alkali-based cement substitutes.

“Inaction will not only accelerate global warming but also undermine efforts to create a sustainable future for generations to come,” the report concludes.

Read the full report here.