Six Continents, One Mission - World Green Building Council Report

The building sector, which consumes more than one third of the world's energy and, in most countries, is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, is a major contributor to this global problem.

Fortunately, the building sector can be an even bigger part of the solution,providing some of the most costeffective and expedient ways to tackle climate change.

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), building-related greenhouse gas emissions could almost double by 2030. However, the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report has also found that, with proven and commercially available technologies, energy consumption in both new and
existing buildings could be cut by an estimated 30-50 per cent withoutsignificantly increasing investment costs.

Today, a global network of green building councils is at the forefront of galvanising action - within industry, government and the community. This coalition of more than 50 green building councils is transforming the global property market and building industry through green building rating systems, education and advocacy.

A number of independent studies confirm that buildings certified by green building councils can consume 85 per cent less energy and 60 per cent less potable water, and send 69 per cent less waste to landfill than non-certified buildings. This document highlights case studies on the growing portfolio of green certified buildings around the world.

Buildings must be central in any post-Kyoto framework, given their unique greenhouse gas abatement potential and the readiness of the global property and construction industries to act.

Now is the time to lay the foundations of a low carbon economy, and secure a sustainable built environment for generations to come.

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Tony Arnel
Chair, World Green Building Council