Four primary pressing reasons, ‘Why we need to develop, aggregate and share low carbon solutions?’
- Excessive release of Carbon Dioxide: As global temperatures continue to rise, the urgency for low carbon strategies becomes increasingly evident. According to recent data, carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have reached 415 parts per million, the highest in over 800,000 years, highlighting the critical need for immediate action.
- Increasing economic compensation: The economic impact of climate change is staggering, with estimates suggesting that by 2050, the world could face annual costs of over $1.5 trillion due to climate-related disasters. Implementing low carbon strategies not only mitigates these risks but also presents significant economic opportunities, with renewable energy industries projected to create millions of jobs worldwide.
- Climate change driven mortality: Health concerns linked to air pollution are driving the call for low carbon strategies, with studies indicating that air pollution contributes to over 7 million premature deaths globally each year. Transitioning to cleaner energy sources and reducing fossil fuel consumption is essential to safeguarding public health and reducing healthcare costs.
- The Global Commitment: The Paris Agreement set a goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, yet current projections indicate that without substantial action, we are on track to exceed this target. Embracing low carbon strategies is paramount to achieving this goal and ensuring a sustainable future for generations to come.
With the focus on construction sector, the following are the critical reasons to develop and aggregate the low carbon strategies with building construction and operation:
- Environmental Impact: The construction sector accounts for a significant portion of global energy consumption and carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings and construction contribute to nearly 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions globally.
- Resource Depletion: Traditional construction practices often rely on resource-intensive materials such as concrete and steel, contributing to resource depletion and environmental degradation. Studies by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) indicate that the construction sector consumes around 40% of global resources and generates 30% of global waste.
- Health Impacts: Conventional construction materials and practices can have adverse effects on human health due to indoor air pollution and exposure to toxins. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 4.3 million people die prematurely every year due to illnesses attributable to indoor air pollution.
- Economic Benefits: Adopting low carbon solutions in the construction sector can yield significant economic benefits. The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate states that investing in energy-efficient buildings and sustainable infrastructure could generate savings of $16.6 trillion by 2030 and create over 65 million new jobs.
- Climate Resilience: As climate change exacerbates extreme weather events, the construction sector faces increasing risks from floods, storms, and heatwaves. Implementing low carbon solutions such as resilient building design and green infrastructure can enhance climate resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters
In our next post, we will discover the low carbon strategical framework for achieving the ambitious net zero. Stay tuned !!!!
