International Energy Agency (IEA) Tracking Buildings 2020

Energy-related CO2 emissions from buildings have risen in recent years after flattening between 2013 and 2016. Direct and indirect emissions from electricity and commercial heat used in buildings rose to 10 GtCO2 in 2019, the highest level ever recorded. Several factors have contributed to this rise, including growing energy demand for heating and cooling with rising air-conditioner ownership and extreme weather events.

CO2 emissions from buildings reached an all-time high in 2019

The fastest-growing building end uses – space cooling, appliances and electric plug-loads – are driving buildings sector electrification. While electricity accounted for one-third of building energy use in 2019, fossil fuel use also increased at a marginal annual average growth rate of 0.7% since 2010.

As a result, direct emissions from buildings rose to just over 3 GtCO2 in 2019, a 5% increase since 2010.

When indirect emissions from upstream power generation are considered, buildings were responsible for 28% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2019. In absolute terms, buildings-related CO2 emissions rose, reaching an all-time high of 10 GtCO2 in 2019.

The IEA report into tracking building in 2020 can be found here.