Reducing the Housing Sector's Contribution to CO2 Emissions

Housing is one of the most immediate basic human needs; therefore, we can not stop producing houses for people. However, it is highly critical to manage the gasses that are emitted from the production and consumption of housing and continue to compound the risks of climate change.

The provision of residential and commercial buildings is estimated to be responsible for over one-third of energy use and energy-related GHG emissions globally.

There are two main ways to mitigate building-related emissions: (1) reduce the energy needed for in-use buildings and (2) reduce the production of materials and energy in construction.

This session aims to discuss environmental policies, solutions and practices that focus on either one of these approaches: improving energy efficiency and/or enhancing material efficiency in construction (that includes reusing existing buildings rather than consuming more building materials in new constructions).

The session will showcase different solutions for greener and more climate-friendly buildings that are implemented across the MENA region or can be adopted for better future housing provision.