Published: 01/09/2024
The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) introduces rigorous criteria for setting sustainability goals grounded in scientific evidence. SBTi evaluates whether organizations’ environmental, social, and governance objectives align with their capacity and genuinely reduce their environmental impact. Globally, there is growing trust in sustainability targets and reports validated by SBTi.
This time, SBTi highlights sustainability indicators specific to the building sector:
Buildings and housing are among the world’s largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for over a quarter of emissions related to energy use. Beyond contributing to air pollution and heat emissions, the construction sector itself faces significant climate vulnerabilities: extreme weather increasingly delays projects, causing billions in economic losses globally.
In response, SBTi has unveiled a science-based decarbonization framework designed for companies within the building supply chain, along with financial institutions working with them. This framework sets emission reduction commitments for the sector, aiming to prevent global temperature rise beyond 1.5°C. By doing so, SBTi rings the first bell toward creating a net-zero emissions building sector.
Key components of the new criteria include:
- Building companies must halve their use of non-renewable energy and fossil fuels by 2030.
- Manufacturers of building materials and construction companies are required to measure and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
- Implementation of a comprehensive “whole building approach” that tracks energy, heat, steam, water consumption, and waste generation throughout all construction phases.
- Post-occupancy emissions monitoring, focusing on reducing electricity, heating, steam, and water use, as well as minimizing grid load by enhancing buildings’ self-sufficiency.
Australian Green Building Standards — A Complementary Model
Australia’s Green Building Council has long championed sustainable construction through its Green Star certification system. Green Star evaluates buildings on energy efficiency, water use, indoor environment quality, and lifecycle impacts, encouraging developers to exceed minimum regulations and promote resilient, low-carbon structures.
Together with frameworks like SBTi’s, Australia’s standards demonstrate how scientific rigor and practical certification can advance green building globally. Both approaches emphasize measurable, verifiable targets that reduce environmental harm while supporting industry innovation and climate resilience.
Conclusion
Adopting science-based decarbonization targets and comprehensive sustainability standards is essential for the building sector’s contribution to global climate goals. Learning from international best practices like SBTi and Australia’s Green Star can guide countries and companies toward truly sustainable construction and urban development.
